Below Average
#965 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
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#965 of 1,176
In Columbia
#55 of 72
public schools
In district
#30 of 47
Richland 01
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Heyward Gibbes Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Edward E. Taylor Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Eau Claire High
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Heyward Gibbes Middle
Heyward Gibbes Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01. Heyward Gibbes Middle serves approximately 263 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Heyward Gibbes Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #965 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Heyward Gibbes Middle show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.1
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Heyward Gibbes Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
56% of students at Heyward Gibbes 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
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 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: 6.0/10.
How Heyward Gibbes Middle Compares
See how Heyward Gibbes Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Alcorn Middle (rated 4.4/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is W. A. Perry Middle (rated 4.1/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, St. Andrews Middle (rated 3.2/10, 2.0 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 | 3.5 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| 1955 Columbia | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Johnsonville Middle Johnsonville, SC | 4.5 |
| Carvers Bay Middle STEAM Academy Hemingway, SC | 4.4 |
| St. Stephen Middle St. Stephen, SC | 4.6 |
| Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester, SC | 4.3 |
| Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree, SC | 4.7 |
| Lee Central Middle Bishopville, SC | 4.7 |
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 ranks #965 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Heyward Gibbes Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Heyward Gibbes Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Heyward Gibbes Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Heyward Gibbes Middle has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 55.5%
- Phone
- (803) 343-2942
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #30 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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