Needs Improvement
#1122 of 1,176 schools in SC
Furman Middle
Middle School · Sumter 01
3400 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,122 of 1,176
In Sumter
#13 of 20
public schools
In district
#15 of 24
Sumter 01
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Furman Middle
Middle School in Sumter · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pocalla Springs Elementary
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lakewood High
4.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Furman Middle
Furman Middle is a public middle school in Sumter, SC, part of Sumter 01. Furman Middle serves approximately 669 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Furman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,122 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Furman Middle show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.5
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
Furman 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.
51% of students at Furman 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
Furman Middle — Students at Furman Middle score 22% 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 24 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: 4.7/10.
How Furman Middle Compares
See how Furman 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
3400 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Furman Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alice Drive Middle (rated 5.1/10, 8.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bates Middle (rated 3.4/10, 7.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sumter, see our Sumter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pocalla Springs Elementary Sumter | 2.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Lakewood High Sumter | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Kingsbury Elementary Sumter | 5.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Sumter High School Sumter | 6.0 mi | 6.8 |
| WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sumter | 6.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Manchester Elementary Pinewood | 6.0 mi | 2.6 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Sumter | 6.9 mi | — |
| Millwood Elementary Sumter | 7.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Bates Middle Sumter | 7.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilder Elementary Sumter | 7.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter | 8.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Alice Drive Elementary Sumter | 8.5 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY DAY SCHOOL Sumter | 8.2 mi | — |
| WILSON HALL Sumter | 8.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter | 8.5 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY Sumter | 8.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Lemira Elementary Sumter | 8.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Willow Drive Elementary Sumter | 9.0 mi | 2.1 |
| WEDGEFIELD UNIVERSITY FOR KIDS Wedgefield | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter | 9.4 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29154 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,105
Median Home Value
$182,600
Median Rent
$1,107/mo
Population
29,659
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bates Middle Sumter, SC | 3.4 |
| Berea Middle Greenville, SC | 3.4 |
| College Park Middle Ladson, SC | 3.4 |
| M. B. Kennedy Middle Aiken, SC | 3.4 |
| White Knoll Middle West Columbia, SC | 3.4 |
| Lakeview Middle Greenville, SC | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Furman Middle
What grades does Furman Middle serve?
Furman Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Furman Middle?
Furman Middle has an enrollment of approximately 669 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Furman Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Furman Middle is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Furman Middle rank in SC?
Furman Middle ranks #1,122 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Furman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Furman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Furman Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Furman Middle has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
Is Furman Middle a charter school?
No, Furman Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Furman Middle a Title I school?
No, Furman Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Furman Middle?
100.0% of students at Furman 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
- 669
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sumter County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 50.7%
- Phone
- (803) 481-8519
Resources & Links
District
Sumter 01- District Enrollment
- 14,301
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,795
- District Rank
- #15 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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