Average
#548 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 47% in state
Dent Middle
Middle School · Richland 02
2721 Decker Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29206
Enrollment
1,035
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,035
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#548 of 1,176
In Columbia
#28 of 72
public schools
In district
#18 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
8.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Dent Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Dent Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jackson Creek Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Forest Lake Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dent Middle
Dent Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02. Dent Middle serves approximately 1,035 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Dent Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #548 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Dent Middle show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- SC avg 5.3
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 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: 5.9/10.
How Dent Middle Compares
See how Dent 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
2721 Decker Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dent Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brockman Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Satchel Ford Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.4 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 | 8.5 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia | 2.6 mi | — |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 8.9 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Berry Shoals Intermediate Duncan, SC | 6.5 |
| Indian Land Middle Indian Land, SC | 6.5 |
| Ocean Bay Middle Myrtle Beach, SC | 6.5 |
| Clover Middle Clover, SC | 6.6 |
| Greenville Middle Academy Greenville, SC | 6.4 |
| Hand Middle Columbia, SC | 6.6 |
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 ranks #548 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Dent Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Dent Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Dent Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dent Middle has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.6%
- Phone
- (803) 699-2750
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #18 of 32
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