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Very Good

#321 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 27% in state

Laing Middle

Middle School · Charleston 01

2705 Bulrush Basket Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466

Enrollment

1,024

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Pleasant

#3 of 5

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#22 of 249

In district

#43 of 79

Charleston 01

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Laing Middle

Laing Middle serves 1,024 students in grades 6 through 8 in Mount Pleasant's thriving suburban community. With 57 full-time teachers maintaining an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides a solid educational foundation that has earned recognition statewide. Academically, Laing Middle demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks 235th among South Carolina's 1,192 schools, placing it in the 80th percentile.

The school's academic score of 9.0 reflects impressive achievement levels, with 78% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and 70% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. The school draws from an affluent and educated community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 29466 zip code area features a median household income of $121,840 and median home values of $597,800, with a notably low poverty rate of 4.3%.

This demographic profile supports a learning environment where families prioritize education and student success. Located on Bulrush Basket Lane in Charleston County, Laing Middle sits in the heart of Mount Pleasant's large suburban setting, serving families in one of the region's most desirable and rapidly growing communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78%
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,213

Laing Middle — Students at Laing Middle score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
70%
ELA
78%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Laing Middle Compares

See how Laing Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in SC
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

2705 Bulrush Basket Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laing Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thomas C. Cario Middle (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Philip Simmons Middle (rated 5.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Wando), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mount Pleasant, see our Mount Pleasant schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Jennie Moore Elementary Mt. Pleasant 0.2 mi 5.9
Charles Pinckney Elementary Mt. Pleasant 1.8 mi 7.5
Laurel Hill Primary Mt. Pleasant 1.9 mi 7.2
Thomas C. Cario Middle Mt. Pleasant 2.0 mi 6.9
Oceanside Collegiate Academy Mount Pleasant 3.3 mi 7.0
PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 3.1 mi 6.2
Wando High Mount Pleasant 3.2 mi 8.3
Carolina Park Elementary Mt. Pleasant 3.3 mi 7.4
Lucy Garrett Beckham High Mt. Pleasant 3.4 mi 8.5
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary Mt. Pleasant 3.6 mi 8.3
Belle Hall Elementary Mt. Pleasant 3.5 mi 8.0
PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 3.6 mi 4.7
TRIDENT ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 3.7 mi 6.4
James B. Edwards Elementary Mt. Pleasant 4.0 mi 8.3
East Cooper Montessori Charter Mt. Pleasant 5.0 mi 8.5
Philip Simmons High Charleston 5.6 mi 8.0
CHRIST OUR KING-STELLA MANS SCHOOL Mount Pleasant 5.5 mi 5.7
Philip Simmons Middle Wando 5.8 mi 5.0
Philip Simmons Elementary Wando 5.8 mi 5.4
O'QUINN SCHOOLS OF PORTER-GAUD - MOUNT PLEASANT Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,546

Median Home Value

$659,300

Median Rent

$2,175/mo

Population

44,387

College Educated

62.3%

Homeownership

83.9%

Avg Commute

29 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laing Middle has a median household income of $130,546. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $659,300, with a median rent of $2,175/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Forest Creek Middle Fort Mill, SC 7.2
Meadow Glen Middle Lexington, SC 7.2
Bluffton Middle Bluffton, SC 7.3
Carver Middle Spartanburg, SC 7.3
Walhalla Middle Walhalla, SC 7.1
Florence Chapel Middle Duncan, SC 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laing Middle

What grades does Laing Middle serve?

Laing Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Laing Middle?

Laing Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,024 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laing Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Laing Middle is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laing Middle rank in SC?

Laing Middle is ranked #321 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Laing Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Laing Middle has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Laing Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laing Middle has 70.3% math proficiency and 76.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laing Middle a charter school?

No, Laing Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Laing Middle a Title I school?

No, Laing Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laing Middle?

20.5% of students at Laing 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,303/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mount Pleasant). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,024
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Charleston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charleston 01
District Enrollment
50,400
Schools in District
82
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,635
District Rank
#43 of 79

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.

Read our full methodology

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