Average
#425 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 36% in state
Hand Middle
Middle School · Richland 01
2600 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#24 of 72
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#38 of 249
In district
#16 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Hand Middle
Hand Middle, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 700 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, Hand Middle provides a relatively small class setting, which can foster more personalized learning experiences. The school has 59 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
Hand Middle's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among South Carolina schools with a state ranking of #574 out of 1192. In terms of academic performance, students have shown proficiency rates of 42% in ELA/Reading and 34% in Math across all grades, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. Hand Middle sits in the heart of a mid-size city, offering its students access to various cultural and educational resources within Columbia.
The community around Hand Middle supports a vibrant learning environment that encourages growth and engagement for its middle schoolers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hand Middle — Students at Hand Middle score 39% 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: 5.7/10.
How Hand Middle Compares
See how Hand Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
2600 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hand Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. A. C. Flora High (rated 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dreher High (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA Columbia | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| A. C. Moore Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Rosewood Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Dreher High Columbia | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| SHANDON UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Columbia | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Columbia | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia | 1.3 mi | — |
| Richland One Charter Middle College Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| South Kilbourne Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| KILBOURNE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Brennen Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| A. C. Flora High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 3.7 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,197
Median Home Value
$335,200
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Population
22,757
College Educated
66.3%
Homeownership
52.5%
Avg Commute
16.5 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Median Age
30
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hand Middle has a median household income of $62,197. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,200, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Hillcrest Middle Simpsonville, SC | 7.0 |
| League Academy Greenville, SC | 7.0 |
| Woodmont Middle Piedmont, SC | 7.0 |
| Belton Middle Belton, SC | 6.8 |
| Chesnee Middle Chesnee, SC | 6.8 |
| Darlington Middle Darlington, SC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hand Middle
What grades does Hand Middle serve?
Hand Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hand Middle?
Hand Middle has an enrollment of approximately 700 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hand Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Hand Middle is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hand Middle rank in SC?
Hand Middle is ranked #425 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Hand Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Hand 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 Hand Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hand Middle has 33.7% math proficiency and 42.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hand Middle a charter school?
No, Hand Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hand Middle a Title I school?
No, Hand Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hand Middle?
100.0% of students at Hand 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
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 700
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 343-2947
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #16 of 47
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.
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