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Average

#426 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 36% in state

Dent Middle

Middle School · Richland 02

2721 Decker Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29206

Enrollment

1,035

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#25 of 72

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#39 of 249

In district

#14 of 32

Richland 02

School environment

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Dent Middle

Dent Middle serves 1,035 students in grades 6 through 8 in Columbia, South Carolina. With 92 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school currently ranks 650th out of 1,192 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 46th percentile.

Academic performance shows room for growth, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 30% achieve proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects these academic challenges, earning 5.3 out of 10 points overall. Despite these academic indicators, Dent Middle benefits from serving a well-educated community in the 29206 ZIP code area, where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood demonstrates economic stability with a median household income of $83,708 and median home values around $301,100. The relatively low poverty rate of 7.7% suggests families have resources to support their children's education. Dent Middle is situated in Columbia's large suburban environment, providing students with access to the amenities and opportunities of South Carolina's capital city while maintaining a community-centered educational experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,517

Dent Middle — Students at Dent Middle score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
34%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
43%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Dent Middle Compares

See how Dent Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in SC
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers

Location

2721 Decker Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29206

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dent Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Richland Northeast High (rated 8.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pendergrass Fairwold School (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia 0.4 mi 8.6
Forest Lake Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 6.8
MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia 0.8 mi 7.0
Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia 1.0 mi 7.8
Richland Northeast High Columbia 1.1 mi 8.7
L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia 1.4 mi 4.2
CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia 2.0 mi 7.0
Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 7.7
E. L. Wright Middle Columbia 2.2 mi 4.9
CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia 2.2 mi 8.4
A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 3.7
HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia 2.6 mi
SC Whitmore School Columbia 2.3 mi 3.4
SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia 2.5 mi
Brockman Elementary Columbia 2.8 mi 8.4
W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia 2.6 mi 6.4
V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia 2.5 mi
V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia 2.5 mi
Windsor Elementary Columbia 2.7 mi 4.6
Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia 2.7 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,726

Median Home Value

$328,600

Median Rent

$1,367/mo

Population

20,054

College Educated

64.4%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dent Middle has a median household income of $89,726. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $328,600, with a median rent of $1,367/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Hand Middle Columbia, SC 6.9
Thomas C. Cario Middle Mt. Pleasant, SC 6.9
Hillcrest Middle Simpsonville, SC 7.0
League Academy Greenville, SC 7.0
Woodmont Middle Piedmont, SC 7.0
Darlington Middle Darlington, SC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dent Middle

What grades does Dent Middle serve?

Dent Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Dent Middle?

Dent Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,035 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dent Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Dent Middle is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dent Middle rank in SC?

Dent Middle is ranked #426 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Dent Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Dent Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Dent Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dent Middle has 29.7% math proficiency and 42.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dent Middle a charter school?

No, Dent Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dent Middle a Title I school?

No, Dent Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dent Middle?

100.0% of students at Dent 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,035
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
92
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Richland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Richland 02
District Enrollment
28,917
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,024
District Rank
#14 of 32

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.

Read our full methodology

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