Below Average
#1012 of 1,176 schools in SC
R. C. Edwards Middle
Middle School · Pickens 01
1157 Madden Bridge Road, Central, SC 29630
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Central
#2 of 3
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#199 of 249
In district
#18 of 23
Pickens 01
About R. C. Edwards Middle
R. C. Edwards Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in rural Pickens County, just outside of Central, South Carolina.
The school enrolls 783 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, supported by 47 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, R. C.
Edwards has room for growth. The school's proficiency rates show 56% of students meeting or exceeding standards in ELA and reading, while 54% achieved proficiency in math. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and a state ranking placing it in the lower-middle range of South Carolina schools, the focus here is on building foundational skills and supporting student development across core subjects.
The school's rural setting near town creates a close-knit community atmosphere, offering families a traditional middle school experience in a quieter, less densely populated area of the county.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, R. C. Edwards 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
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R. C. Edwards Middle — Students at R. C. Edwards Middle score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.7%
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: 4.0/10.
How R. C. Edwards Middle Compares
See how R. C. Edwards Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 46% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 58% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
1157 Madden Bridge Road, Central, SC 29630
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering R. C. Edwards Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Youth Leadership Academy (rated 8.4/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Pickens), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riverside Middle (rated 6.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Pendleton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Seneca Middle (rated 6.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Seneca), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Central, see our Central schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| D. W. Daniel High Central | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Central Academy of the Arts Central | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Clemson Elementary Clemson | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| CLEMSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Clemson | 4.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Riverside Middle Pendleton | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Ravenel Elementary Seneca | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Pendleton Elementary Pendleton | 5.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Six Mile Elementary Six Mile | 6.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Liberty Primary Liberty | 5.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Liberty High Liberty | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Liberty Middle Liberty | 7.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Pendleton High Anderson | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| La France Elementary Pendleton | 8.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Liberty Elementary Liberty | 7.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Northside Elementary Seneca | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| TRINITY BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Seneca | 8.6 mi | — |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Seneca | 8.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Keowee Elementary Seneca | 9.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Seneca Middle Seneca | 9.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Youth Leadership Academy Pickens | 11.0 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,879
Median Home Value
$220,300
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
15,497
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
46.7%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding R. C. Edwards Middle has a median household income of $53,879. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,300, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Starr-Iva Middle Starr, SC | 4.5 |
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter, SC | 4.6 |
| Beck International Academy Greenville, SC | 4.6 |
| Black Water Middle Conway, SC | 4.6 |
| Colleton County Middle Walterboro, SC | 4.4 |
| Sims Middle Union, SC | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about R. C. Edwards Middle
What grades does R. C. Edwards Middle serve?
R. C. Edwards Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend R. C. Edwards Middle?
R. C. Edwards Middle has an enrollment of approximately 783 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at R. C. Edwards Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at R. C. Edwards Middle is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does R. C. Edwards Middle rank in SC?
R. C. Edwards Middle is ranked #1012 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is R. C. Edwards Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
R. C. Edwards Middle has a composite rating of 4.5 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 R. C. Edwards Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, R. C. Edwards Middle has 54.3% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is R. C. Edwards Middle a charter school?
No, R. C. Edwards Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is R. C. Edwards Middle a Title I school?
No, R. C. Edwards Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for R. C. Edwards Middle?
46.7% of students at R. C. Edwards 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
- Elevated (1,311/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Central). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 783
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pickens County
- Phone
- (864) 397-4200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pickens 01- District Enrollment
- 16,223
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,485
- District Rank
- #18 of 23
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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