Average
#525 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 45% in state
Hand Middle
Middle School · Richland 01
2600 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#525 of 1,176
In Columbia
#26 of 72
public schools
In district
#17 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Hand Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Montessori School of Columbia
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
A. C. Moore Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hand Middle
Hand Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01. Hand Middle serves approximately 700 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hand Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #525 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Hand Middle show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 5.1
- SC avg 5.3
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 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: 5.2/10.
How Hand Middle Compares
See how Hand Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2600 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hand Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rosewood Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dreher High (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 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 | 7.7 |
| Rosewood Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Dreher High Columbia | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| South Kilbourne Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 3.7 |
| KILBOURNE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Brennen Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| A. C. Flora High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill Middle Lexington, SC | 6.6 |
| Walhalla Middle Walhalla, SC | 6.6 |
| Berry Shoals Intermediate Duncan, SC | 6.5 |
| Ocean Bay Middle Myrtle Beach, SC | 6.5 |
| Bluffton Middle Bluffton, SC | 6.7 |
| Blythewood Middle Blythewood, SC | 6.7 |
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 ranks #525 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Hand Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Hand Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Hand Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hand Middle has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.9%
- Phone
- (803) 343-2947
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #17 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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