Below Average
#943 of 1,176 schools in SC
Pine Ridge Middle
Middle School · Lexington 02
735 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Columbia
#12 of 14
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#177 of 249
In district
#12 of 12
Lexington 02
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Pine Ridge Middle
Pine Ridge Middle, located in the rural outskirts of West Columbia, South Carolina, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 384 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, Pine Ridge offers personalized attention to its middle schoolers. The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students in this rural setting.
Pine Ridge Middle's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it at the 22nd percentile among South Carolina schools. Academically, Pine Ridge ranks lower with a score of 1.6/10, indicating room for improvement. Currently, only 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while math proficiency stands at 16%.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Pine Ridge Middle is situated in a rural area near the town, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pine Ridge 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pine Ridge Middle — Students at Pine Ridge Middle score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 4.8/10.
How Pine Ridge Middle Compares
See how Pine Ridge Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 23% (2022).
Location
735 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pine Ridge Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy (rated 6.5/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Cayce), which scores notably higher. Another option is R. H. Fulmer Middle (rated 5.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, White Knoll Middle (rated 5.6/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Columbia, see our West Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Herbert A. Wood Elementary West Columbia | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Congaree Elementary West Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| R. H. Fulmer Middle West Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Airport High West Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Midlands Middle College Columbia | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Springdale Elementary West Columbia | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| South Carolina Virtual Charter School West Columbia | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 4.6 mi | — |
| Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy Cayce | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Columbia | 4.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Cayce Elementary Cayce | 4.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Brookland-Cayce High Cayce | 5.6 mi | 7.8 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 6.0 mi | 7.9 |
| White Knoll Elementary West Columbia | 5.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Northside Middle West Columbia | 6.2 mi | 5.0 |
| White Knoll Middle West Columbia | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Lexington | 5.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia | 6.2 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29172 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,737
Median Home Value
$167,500
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
Population
9,354
College Educated
19.9%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pine Ridge Middle has a median household income of $60,737. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,500, with a median rent of $1,065/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Chesterfield, SC | 4.9 |
| Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree, SC | 4.9 |
| Leavelle McCampbell Middle Graniteville, SC | 4.9 |
| Northside Middle West Columbia, SC | 5.0 |
| Philip Simmons Middle Wando, SC | 5.0 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw, SC | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pine Ridge Middle
What grades does Pine Ridge Middle serve?
Pine Ridge Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Pine Ridge Middle?
Pine Ridge Middle has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pine Ridge Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Pine Ridge Middle is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pine Ridge Middle rank in SC?
Pine Ridge Middle is ranked #943 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Pine Ridge Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Pine Ridge Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Pine Ridge Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pine Ridge Middle has 16.3% math proficiency and 24.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pine Ridge Middle a charter school?
No, Pine Ridge Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pine Ridge Middle a Title I school?
No, Pine Ridge Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pine Ridge Middle?
100.0% of students at Pine Ridge 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
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 755-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 02- District Enrollment
- 8,544
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,535
- District Rank
- #12 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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