Average
#789 of 1,176 schools in SC
Heyward Gibbes Middle
Middle School · Richland 01
500 Summerlea Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#40 of 72
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#129 of 249
In district
#28 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Heyward Gibbes Middle
Heyward Gibbes Middle is a regular public middle school in Columbia, South Carolina, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 263 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention within its mid-size city setting. The school has 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support each student’s educational journey.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Heyward Gibbes Middle ranks in the bottom tenth percentile among South Carolina schools with an overall score of 3.3 out of 10 and a low academic performance score of 1.1 out of 10. While proficiency rates for both English Language Arts/Reading and Math are relatively low at 18% and 8%, respectively, the school is focused on student development and continuous improvement. Located in Columbia’s Richland County, Heyward Gibbes Middle sits in a vibrant mid-size city with numerous resources and opportunities available to students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Heyward Gibbes Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Heyward Gibbes Middle — Students at Heyward Gibbes Middle score 12% 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 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: 6.8/10.
How Heyward Gibbes Middle Compares
See how Heyward Gibbes Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 19% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
500 Summerlea Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heyward Gibbes Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. W. A. Perry Middle (rated 5.7/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is St. Andrews Middle (rated 5.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alcorn Middle (rated 4.2/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| 1955 Columbia | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,371
Median Home Value
$121,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Population
40,811
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
47.9%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
28.3%
Median Age
34.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Heyward Gibbes Middle has a median household income of $42,371. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Dacusville Middle Easley, SC | 5.6 |
| Lee Central Middle Bishopville, SC | 5.6 |
| Merriwether Middle North Augusta, SC | 5.7 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia, SC | 5.7 |
| Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston, SC | 5.8 |
| A. L. Corbett Middle Wagener, SC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heyward Gibbes Middle
What grades does Heyward Gibbes Middle serve?
Heyward Gibbes Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Heyward Gibbes Middle?
Heyward Gibbes Middle has an enrollment of approximately 263 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heyward Gibbes Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Heyward Gibbes Middle is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Heyward Gibbes Middle rank in SC?
Heyward Gibbes Middle is ranked #789 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Heyward Gibbes Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Heyward Gibbes Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Heyward Gibbes Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heyward Gibbes Middle has 7.5% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Heyward Gibbes Middle a charter school?
No, Heyward Gibbes Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Heyward Gibbes Middle a Title I school?
No, Heyward Gibbes Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heyward Gibbes Middle?
100.0% of students at Heyward Gibbes 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
- 263
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 343-2942
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #28 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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