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Average

#903 of 1,176 schools in SC

Saluda Middle

Middle School · Saluda 01

140 Ivory Key Road, Saluda, SC 29138

Enrollment

526

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saluda

#5 of 5

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#164 of 249

In district

#5 of 5

Saluda 01

About Saluda Middle

Saluda Middle is a regular public middle school located in Saluda, South Carolina. Nestled in a rural setting on Ivory Key Road, the school serves students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 526 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, Saluda Middle offers personalized attention to help each student succeed.

The academic performance at Saluda Middle is currently ranked in the lower half of South Carolina's public schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.1 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Math, about 32% of students are proficient or above, indicating that there is room for improvement in these areas. Despite the current performance metrics, Saluda Middle focuses on student development and aims to provide a supportive learning environment tailored to meet the needs of its community.

The school’s rural setting offers a close-knit atmosphere where teachers and staff know each child well, fostering strong connections between students and adults. Saluda Middle is situated in an area that values personal relationships and small-town charm, making it a unique place for middle schoolers to grow and learn together.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Saluda 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 Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,073

Saluda Middle — Students at Saluda Middle score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
32%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Saluda Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
23th percentile in SC
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

140 Ivory Key Road, Saluda, SC 29138

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Saluda Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Batesburg-Leesville Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Batesburg-Leesville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newberry Middle (rated 5.3/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Newberry), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle (rated 4.7/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Johnston), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Saluda, see our Saluda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Saluda High Saluda 0.1 mi 6.4
Saluda Primary Saluda 2.9 mi 6.0
Saluda Elementary Saluda 3.0 mi 7.6
W WYMAN KING ACADEMY Batesburg 5.0 mi 5.0
Hollywood Elementary Saluda 6.4 mi 7.1
Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary Ridge Spring 11.5 mi 6.0
Johnston Elementary Johnston 12.8 mi 3.8
Batesburg-Leesville Primary School Batesburg-Leesville 12.1 mi 7.6
Batesburg-Leesville High School Batesburg-Leesville 12.5 mi 5.8
Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/ High Monetta 14.1 mi 7.6
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Leesville 12.9 mi
Reuben Elementary Newberry 15.8 mi 5.8
FRANCIS HUGH WARDLAW ACADEMY Johnston 15.6 mi 7.1
Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School Batesburg-Leesville 14.1 mi 5.8
Batesburg-Leesville Middle School Batesburg-Leesville 14.2 mi 5.8
Strom Thurmond High Johnston 15.9 mi 6.4
Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle Johnston 16.1 mi 4.7
Gallman Elementary Newberry 18.0 mi 3.9
Newberry Middle Newberry 18.7 mi 5.3
W. E. Parker Elementary Edgefield 18.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,410

Median Home Value

$111,200

Median Rent

$780/mo

Population

9,641

College Educated

15.9%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

22.3%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Saluda Middle has a median household income of $45,410. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,200, with a median rent of $780/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
D. R. Hill Middle Lyman, SC 5.1
Lugoff-Elgin Middle Lugoff, SC 5.1
New Heights Middle Jefferson, SC 5.1
Furman Middle Sumter, SC 5.0
Northside Middle West Columbia, SC 5.0
Pelion Middle Pelion, SC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Saluda Middle

What grades does Saluda Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Saluda Middle?

Saluda Middle has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Saluda Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Saluda 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 Saluda Middle rank in SC?

Saluda Middle is ranked #903 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Saluda Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Saluda Middle has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Saluda Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saluda Middle has 32.3% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Saluda Middle a charter school?

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

Is Saluda Middle a Title I school?

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

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

73.8% of students at Saluda 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 (1,866/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Saluda County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saluda 01
District Enrollment
2,476
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,808
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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