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Below Average

#907 of 1,176 schools in SC

Pickens Middle

Middle School · Pickens 01

140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC 29671

Enrollment

525

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#907 of 1,176

In Pickens

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#21 of 23

Pickens 01

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Pickens Middle

4.8/10

Middle School in Pickens · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hagood Elementary

6.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pickens Elementary

6.0/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pickens Middle

Pickens Middle is a public middle school in Pickens, SC, part of Pickens 01. Pickens Middle serves approximately 525 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Pickens Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #907 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Pickens Middle show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • SC avg 5.3

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Pickens 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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,485
Chronic Absenteeism33.1%

Pickens Middle — Students at Pickens Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
40%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Pickens Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
23th percentile in SC
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

140 Torch Lane, Pickens, SC 29671

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickens Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Youth Leadership Academy (rated 7.8/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Richard H. Gettys Middle (rated 5.2/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Easley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Liberty Middle (rated 4.4/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Liberty), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pickens, see our Pickens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hagood Elementary Pickens 0.7 mi 6.0
Pickens Elementary Pickens 0.9 mi 6.0
Pickens High Pickens 1.5 mi 6.4
LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pickens 1.6 mi 4.3
SOARING EAGLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pickens 3.3 mi
Youth Leadership Academy Pickens 3.3 mi 7.8
Ambler Elementary Pickens 5.3 mi 6.5
Liberty Elementary Liberty 6.8 mi 5.3
Liberty Middle Liberty 6.9 mi 4.4
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology Easley 5.9 mi 6.6
Richard H. Gettys Middle Easley 7.2 mi 5.2
Liberty High Liberty 8.4 mi 7.2
East End Elementary Easley 7.4 mi 6.6
Six Mile Elementary Six Mile 7.6 mi 5.4
West End Elementary Easley 8.0 mi 5.7
Lakes and Bridges Charter School Easley 8.3 mi 7.6
Liberty Primary Liberty 9.8 mi 4.4
EASLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Easley 8.7 mi 5.7
Forest Acres Elementary Easley 8.9 mi 6.8
Easley High Easley 9.6 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29671 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,429

Median Home Value

$202,100

Median Rent

$917/mo

Population

19,210

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

83.4%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

41.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Chesterfield, SC 4.8
Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill, SC 4.7
Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree, SC 4.7
Lee Central Middle Bishopville, SC 4.7
Lugoff-Elgin Middle Lugoff, SC 4.7
Manning Elementary Manning, SC 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pickens Middle

What grades does Pickens Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Pickens Middle?

Pickens Middle has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickens Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickens Middle is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pickens Middle rank in SC?

Pickens Middle ranks #907 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Pickens Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickens Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Pickens Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pickens Middle has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Pickens Middle a charter school?

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

Is Pickens Middle a Title I school?

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

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

78.3% of students at Pickens 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Pickens County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

District

Pickens 01
District Enrollment
16,223
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,485
District Rank
#21 of 23

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