Average
#921 of 1,176 schools in SC
Northside Middle
Middle School · Lexington 02
157 Cougar Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Columbia
#11 of 14
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#169 of 249
In district
#11 of 12
Lexington 02
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Northside Middle
Northside Middle is a public middle school located in the suburban area of West Columbia, South Carolina. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, Northside Middle has an enrollment of 496 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it in the 30th percentile among South Carolina’s middle schools.
Academically, Northside Middle has a score of 2.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout, indicating there is room for improvement. In English Language Arts and Reading, 34% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, that number drops to 26%. Despite these challenges, the school community focuses on student development and supports its learners through various initiatives.
Northside Middle is situated in a bustling suburban setting within Lexington County, providing students with access to local amenities and resources. The neighborhood surrounding Northside Middle offers a vibrant environment for both students and families alike.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northside Middle — Students at Northside Middle score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
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
↓ 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: 4.6/10.
How Northside Middle Compares
See how Northside Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 28% (2022).
Location
157 Cougar Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northside Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Point Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brookland-Cayce High (rated 7.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Cayce), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Columbia, see our West Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Riverbank Elementary West Columbia | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Columbia | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| South Carolina Virtual Charter School West Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| SC Connections Academy Columbia | 2.6 mi | 2.6 |
| Sandel Elementary Columbia | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Springdale Elementary West Columbia | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Brookland-Cayce High Cayce | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia | 3.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Airport High West Columbia | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29169 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,673
Median Home Value
$189,900
Median Rent
$1,081/mo
Population
21,342
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
55.4%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northside Middle has a median household income of $53,673. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Furman Middle Sumter, SC | 5.0 |
| Pelion Middle Pelion, SC | 5.0 |
| Philip Simmons Middle Wando, SC | 5.0 |
| Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Chesterfield, SC | 4.9 |
| Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree, SC | 4.9 |
| Leavelle McCampbell Middle Graniteville, SC | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northside Middle
What grades does Northside Middle serve?
Northside Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northside Middle?
Northside Middle has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northside Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Northside Middle is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northside Middle rank in SC?
Northside Middle is ranked #921 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Northside Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Northside Middle has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Northside Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northside Middle has 26.0% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northside Middle a charter school?
No, Northside Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northside Middle a Title I school?
No, Northside Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northside Middle?
84.5% of students at Northside 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 (5,196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 496
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 739-4190
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 02- District Enrollment
- 8,544
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,535
- District Rank
- #11 of 12
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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