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Below Average

#1066 of 1,176 schools in SC

Sanders Middle

Middle School · Laurens 55

609 Green Street, Laurens, SC 29360

Enrollment

289

Student-Teacher

9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Laurens

#5 of 6

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#214 of 249

In district

#8 of 9

Laurens 55

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Sanders Middle

Sanders Middle in Laurens, South Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 289 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Sanders Middle offers individualized attention with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is central within the town, making it easily accessible for local families.

Sanders Middle's academic performance currently ranks at the lower end among South Carolina schools, placing it in the 13th percentile statewide and earning a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.6 out of 10. In state assessments, only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 17% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on improving student development and academic growth.

Located right off Green Street, Sanders Middle serves a community that values education and supports its young learners through various local resources and programs.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Sanders Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,000

Sanders Middle — Students at Sanders Middle score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.7%
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
26%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
23%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Sanders Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
9th percentile in SC
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

609 Green Street, Laurens, SC 29360

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanders Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Clinton Middle (rated 7.5/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Laurens Middle (rated 4.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Laurens, see our Laurens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.7 mi
School Distance Rating
E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens 1.8 mi 6.7
Laurens Middle Laurens 1.9 mi 4.7
Ford Elementary Laurens 2.3 mi 6.7
Laurens Elementary Laurens 2.5 mi 3.9
Laurens District 55 High Laurens 3.5 mi 5.1
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Enoree 7.0 mi 4.7
M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton 7.1 mi 7.7
Thornwell Charter School Clinton 7.3 mi 7.3
Waterloo Elementary Waterloo 8.7 mi 4.3
Clinton Elementary Clinton 7.5 mi 5.0
Summit Classical School Clinton 7.8 mi 7.1
Clinton Middle Clinton 8.2 mi 7.5
Clinton High Clinton 8.8 mi 6.9
Eastside Elementary Clinton 8.9 mi 7.5
Gray Court-Owings Elementary/Middle Gray Court 11.1 mi 5.8
Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle Gray Court 10.4 mi 6.3
Joanna Woodson Elementary Joanna 12.6 mi 7.2
Ware Shoals Primary Ware Shoals 13.5 mi 4.6
Woodruff Primary Woodruff 16.6 mi 5.0
Woodruff Elementary Woodruff 16.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,846

Median Home Value

$151,500

Median Rent

$808/mo

Population

22,066

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sanders Middle has a median household income of $55,846. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,500, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
St. Stephen Middle St. Stephen, SC 4.1
Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg, SC 4.0
Alcorn Middle Columbia, SC 4.2
Macedonia Middle Moncks Corner, SC 3.8
Schofield Middle Aiken, SC 3.8
Beaufort Middle Beaufort, SC 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanders Middle

What grades does Sanders Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Sanders Middle?

Sanders Middle has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sanders Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sanders Middle is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sanders Middle rank in SC?

Sanders Middle is ranked #1066 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Sanders Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanders Middle has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Sanders Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanders Middle has 16.7% math proficiency and 24.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sanders Middle a charter school?

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

Is Sanders Middle a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Sanders 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 (3,930/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Laurens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Laurens 55
District Enrollment
5,206
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,216
District Rank
#8 of 9

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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