Skip to main content

Average

#628 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

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pickens

#4 of 6

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#81 of 249

In district

#9 of 23

Pickens 01

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Pickens Middle

Pickens Middle, located in Pickens, South Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 525 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated teaching staff includes 38 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to provide a supportive educational environment.

Pickens Middle's academic performance is currently at the lower end with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #887 out of 1,192 schools in South Carolina (26th percentile). In terms of subject proficiency rates, 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 35% are at the same level in Math. The school is focusing on student development and growth to improve these statistics.

Situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, Pickens Middle benefits from a blend of small-town charm and proximity to city resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,622

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 34.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.3%
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
35%
ELA
37%
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: 7.9/10.

How Pickens Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in SC
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty Middle (rated 5.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Liberty), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Richard H. Gettys Middle (rated 5.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Easley), 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 3.6
Pickens Elementary Pickens 0.9 mi 7.1
Pickens High Pickens 1.5 mi 6.9
LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pickens 1.6 mi 4.3
SOARING EAGLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pickens 3.3 mi
Youth Leadership Academy Pickens 3.3 mi 8.4
Ambler Elementary Pickens 5.3 mi 4.5
Liberty Elementary Liberty 6.8 mi 5.7
Liberty Middle Liberty 6.9 mi 5.6
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology Easley 5.9 mi 6.5
Richard H. Gettys Middle Easley 7.2 mi 5.3
Liberty High Liberty 8.4 mi 7.6
East End Elementary Easley 7.4 mi 4.2
Six Mile Elementary Six Mile 7.6 mi 3.9
West End Elementary Easley 8.0 mi 5.2
Lakes and Bridges Charter School Easley 8.3 mi 7.4
Liberty Primary Liberty 9.8 mi 6.1
EASLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Easley 8.7 mi 5.7
Forest Acres Elementary Easley 8.9 mi 4.6
Easley High Easley 9.6 mi 6.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickens Middle has a median household income of $65,429. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,100, with a median rent of $917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston, SC 6.2
Glenview Middle Anderson, SC 6.2
Morningside Middle North Charleston, SC 6.3
York Intermediate York, SC 6.3
Clifdale Middle Spartanburg, SC 6.1
Latta Middle Latta, SC 6.1

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 is ranked #628 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Pickens Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickens Middle has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Pickens Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pickens Middle has 34.7% math proficiency and 38.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,365/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.