Average
#685 of 1,176 schools in SC
Sandhills Middle
Middle School · Lexington 04
582 Meadowfield Road, Gaston, SC 29053
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaston
#2 of 2
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#95 of 249
In district
#6 of 7
Lexington 04
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Sandhills Middle
Sandhills Middle is a regular public middle school located in Gaston, South Carolina, in Lexington County. Situated on Meadowfield Road, the school serves students in grades 7 and 8 with an enrollment of 519 students. The student-to-teacher ratio at Sandhills Middle is 13:1, providing a relatively small class size that can facilitate more personalized attention for each student.
With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment. According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, Sandhills Middle has a rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks at #858 among South Carolina's 1192 schools. The academic score is 1.3 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement in student performance on standardized tests.
Specifically, 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 11% meet proficiency standards in math. Sandhills Middle is set in a rural area near the town of Gaston, offering a peaceful and close-knit community atmosphere. The school focuses on fostering growth and development among its diverse student body within this supportive setting.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sandhills Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Sandhills 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
Sandhills Middle — Students at Sandhills Middle score 16% 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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Sandhills Middle Compares
See how Sandhills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 9% (2019) to 11% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
582 Meadowfield Road, Gaston, SC 29053
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sandhills Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Frances F. Mack Intermediate (rated 6.2/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is R. H. Fulmer Middle (rated 5.6/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, White Knoll Middle (rated 5.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gaston, see our Gaston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Lexington Four Early Childhood Center Swansea | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Sandhills Primary Swansea | 3.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Sandhills Elementary Swansea | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Swansea High Freshman Academy Swansea | 5.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Swansea High Swansea | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Congaree Elementary West Columbia | 6.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Pine Ridge Middle West Columbia | 7.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Herbert A. Wood Elementary West Columbia | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Forts Pond Elementary Pelion | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Pelion Middle Pelion | 7.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Saxe Gotha Elementary Lexington | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Pelion High Pelion | 7.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Pelion Elementary Pelion | 7.7 mi | 4.1 |
| White Knoll High Lexington | 8.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Midlands Middle College Columbia | 9.5 mi | 7.0 |
| White Knoll Elementary West Columbia | 9.3 mi | 3.6 |
| R. H. Fulmer Middle West Columbia | 9.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Airport High West Columbia | 9.6 mi | 6.3 |
| White Knoll Middle West Columbia | 9.5 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29053 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,141
Median Home Value
$116,700
Median Rent
$947/mo
Population
20,818
College Educated
11.9%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sandhills Middle has a median household income of $54,141. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,700, with a median rent of $947/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Lady's Island Middle Beaufort, SC | 6.0 |
| Buford Middle Lancaster, SC | 5.9 |
| Clifdale Middle Spartanburg, SC | 6.1 |
| Conway Middle Conway, SC | 5.9 |
| Haut Gap Middle Johns Island, SC | 5.9 |
| Latta Middle Latta, SC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sandhills Middle
What grades does Sandhills Middle serve?
Sandhills Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Sandhills Middle?
Sandhills Middle has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandhills Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Sandhills Middle is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sandhills Middle rank in SC?
Sandhills Middle is ranked #685 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Sandhills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandhills Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Sandhills Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandhills Middle has 11.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sandhills Middle a charter school?
No, Sandhills Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sandhills Middle a Title I school?
No, Sandhills Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandhills Middle?
100.0% of students at Sandhills 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 (3,600/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 519
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 490-7005
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 04- District Enrollment
- 3,475
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,672
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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