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
Enrollment
1,035
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dent Middle — Students at Dent Middle score 36% proficient, which is above 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: 6.7/10.
How Dent Middle Compares
See how Dent Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 43% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (803) 699-2750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #14 of 32
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.