Needs Improvement
#1058 of 1,176 schools in SC
Chester Middle
Middle School · Chester 01
1014 McCandless Road, Chester, SC 29706
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,058 of 1,176
In Chester
#6 of 6
public schools
In district
#11 of 11
Chester 01
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Chester Middle
Middle School in Chester · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Chester Middle
Chester Middle is a public middle school in Chester, SC, part of Chester 01. Chester Middle serves approximately 468 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,058 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Chester Middle show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
Chester Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
47% of students at Chester Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Chester Middle — Students at Chester Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.
How Chester Middle Compares
See how Chester Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1014 McCandless Road, Chester, SC 29706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Saluda Trail Middle (rated 6.0/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Rock Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lewisville Middle (rated 5.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Richburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rawlinson Road Middle (rated 4.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Rock Hill), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry Chester | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts Chester | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology Chester | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Academy for Teaching and Learning Chester | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Chester Senior High Chester | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| HAWTHORNE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chester | 3.8 mi | 6.7 |
| THE ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Hill | 9.3 mi | — |
| Lewisville Middle Richburg | 9.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Lewisville High Richburg | 10.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Lewisville Elementary Richburg | 10.3 mi | 7.7 |
| South Pointe High Rock Hill | 13.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Saluda Trail Middle Rock Hill | 13.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Oakdale Elementary Rock Hill | 13.7 mi | 6.7 |
| York Preparatory Academy Rock Hill | 15.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Mount Holly Elementary Rock Hill | 14.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies Rock Hill | 15.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Northwestern High Rock Hill | 16.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Rawlinson Road Middle Rock Hill | 17.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary York | 17.4 mi | 6.4 |
| York Road Elementary Rock Hill | 17.0 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,141
Median Home Value
$142,200
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
19,181
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
22%
Median Age
42.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Johnakin Middle Marion, SC | 3.9 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw, SC | 3.8 |
| Dillon Middle Dillon, SC | 3.8 |
| John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney, SC | 4.0 |
| Laurens Middle Laurens, SC | 3.8 |
| Pine Ridge Middle West Columbia, SC | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chester Middle
What grades does Chester Middle serve?
Chester Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Chester Middle?
Chester Middle has an enrollment of approximately 468 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Chester Middle is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chester Middle rank in SC?
Chester Middle ranks #1,058 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Chester Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Chester Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester Middle has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Chester Middle a charter school?
No, Chester Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chester Middle a Title I school?
No, Chester Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Middle?
100.0% of students at Chester Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 468
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Chester County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.4%
- Phone
- (803) 377-8192
Resources & Links
District
Chester 01- District Enrollment
- 4,590
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,920
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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