Average
#754 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
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chester
#6 of 6
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#116 of 249
In district
#11 of 11
Chester 01
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Chester Middle
Chester Middle is a public middle school located in the rural area near Chester, South Carolina. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 468 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Chester Middle reflects areas for improvement; it holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10, ranking in the 17th percentile among South Carolina schools.
Test scores indicate that only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 11% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Chester Middle is dedicated to fostering student development and growth within its supportive rural community setting. The school's location in a close-knit town offers opportunities for local engagement and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Chester Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Chester Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
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 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Chester Middle Compares
See how Chester Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 13% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
1014 McCandless Road, Chester, SC 29706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lewisville Middle (rated 7.1/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Richburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Saluda Trail Middle (rated 6.6/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Rock Hill), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rawlinson Road Middle (rated 5.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Rock Hill), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.4 |
| Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts Chester | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology Chester | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Academy for Teaching and Learning Chester | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Chester Senior High Chester | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| HAWTHORNE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chester | 3.8 mi | 6.7 |
| THE ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Hill | 9.3 mi | — |
| Lewisville Middle Richburg | 9.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Lewisville High Richburg | 10.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Lewisville Elementary Richburg | 10.3 mi | 7.4 |
| South Pointe High Rock Hill | 13.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Saluda Trail Middle Rock Hill | 13.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Oakdale Elementary Rock Hill | 13.7 mi | 7.7 |
| York Preparatory Academy Rock Hill | 15.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Mount Holly Elementary Rock Hill | 14.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies Rock Hill | 15.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Northwestern High Rock Hill | 16.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Rawlinson Road Middle Rock Hill | 17.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary York | 17.4 mi | 5.5 |
| York Road Elementary Rock Hill | 17.0 mi | 6.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chester Middle has a median household income of $50,141. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,200, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Banks Trail Middle Fort Mill, SC | 5.7 |
| Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle Warrenville, SC | 5.7 |
| Merriwether Middle North Augusta, SC | 5.7 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia, SC | 5.7 |
| Batesburg-Leesville Middle School Batesburg-Leesville, SC | 5.8 |
| Lee Central Middle Bishopville, SC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #754 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Chester Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Chester Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester Middle has 11.3% math proficiency and 24.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,835/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chester). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (803) 377-8192
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chester 01- District Enrollment
- 4,590
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,920
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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