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Average

#909 of 1,176 schools in SC

Philip Simmons Middle

Middle School · Berkeley 01

2065 Seven Sticks Drive, Wando, SC 29492

Enrollment

454

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wando

#2 of 2

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#166 of 249

In district

#18 of 46

Berkeley 01

About Philip Simmons Middle

Philip Simmons Middle is a regular public middle school in Wando, South Carolina, serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 454 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to its learners. Located in a rural area near a town, Philip Simmons Middle benefits from a close-knit community environment.

The academic performance at Philip Simmons Middle shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of 809 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 49%, while the Math proficiency rate stands at 30%. These scores indicate areas where focused efforts can lead to significant academic growth.

Philip Simmons Middle sits in a rural setting, providing students with a tranquil and supportive learning environment.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Philip Simmons 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.

Located in a rural area, Philip Simmons Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-21.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,201

Philip Simmons Middle — Students at Philip Simmons Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.3%
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
32%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
50%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Philip Simmons Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in SC
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

2065 Seven Sticks Drive, Wando, SC 29492

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Philip Simmons Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laing Middle (rated 7.2/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas C. Cario Middle (rated 6.9/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wando, see our Wando schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Philip Simmons Elementary Wando 0.0 mi 5.4
Philip Simmons High Charleston 0.6 mi 8.0
SUNDROPS MONTESSORI - DANIEL ISLAND Charleston 3.4 mi
PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 4.4 mi 4.7
Belle Hall Elementary Mt. Pleasant 4.5 mi 8.0
Thomas C. Cario Middle Mt. Pleasant 4.8 mi 6.9
Charles Pinckney Elementary Mt. Pleasant 4.9 mi 7.5
Daniel Island School Charleston 5.3 mi 6.8
TRIDENT ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 5.8 mi 6.4
Laurel Hill Primary Mt. Pleasant 5.2 mi 7.2
Lucy Garrett Beckham High Mt. Pleasant 6.1 mi 8.5
Oceanside Collegiate Academy Mount Pleasant 5.2 mi 7.0
Laing Middle Mount Pleasant 5.8 mi 7.2
Jennie Moore Elementary Mt. Pleasant 5.8 mi 5.9
James B. Edwards Elementary Mt. Pleasant 6.5 mi 8.3
Carolina Park Elementary Mt. Pleasant 5.9 mi 7.4
O'QUINN SCHOOLS OF PORTER-GAUD - MOUNT PLEASANT Mount Pleasant 7.1 mi 5.8
Wando High Mount Pleasant 6.2 mi 8.3
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary Mt. Pleasant 7.3 mi 8.3
Cainhoy Elementary Huger 7.5 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,605

Median Home Value

$727,800

Median Rent

$1,924/mo

Population

19,753

College Educated

67.3%

Homeownership

60%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Philip Simmons Middle has a median household income of $115,605. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $727,800, with a median rent of $1,924/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Northside Middle West Columbia, SC 5.0
Pelion Middle Pelion, SC 5.0
Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Chesterfield, SC 4.9
Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree, SC 4.9
Leavelle McCampbell Middle Graniteville, SC 4.9
New Heights Middle Jefferson, SC 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Philip Simmons Middle

What grades does Philip Simmons Middle serve?

Philip Simmons Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Philip Simmons Middle?

Philip Simmons Middle has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Philip Simmons Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Philip Simmons Middle is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Philip Simmons Middle rank in SC?

Philip Simmons Middle is ranked #909 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Philip Simmons Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Philip Simmons 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 Philip Simmons Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Philip Simmons Middle has 30.0% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Philip Simmons Middle a charter school?

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

Is Philip Simmons Middle a Title I school?

No, Philip Simmons Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

47.6% of students at Philip Simmons 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

County Safety
Elevated (1,151/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Berkeley County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Berkeley 01
District Enrollment
39,265
Schools in District
47
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,810
District Rank
#18 of 46

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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