Below Average
#1003 of 1,176 schools in SC
Sims Middle
Middle School · Union 01
2200 Whitmire Highway, Union, SC 29379
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Union
#4 of 4
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#195 of 249
In district
#5 of 6
Union 01
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Sims Middle
Sims Middle, located in Union, South Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 635 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, Sims Middle offers personalized attention to each student. The school’s dedicated staff includes 52 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students.
Academically, Sims Middle has room for growth as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1045 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (12th percentile). The school’s proficiency rates show that 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 18% meet or exceed standards in Math. These figures indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to improve academic performance.
Sims Middle is situated in a rural area near the town of Union, providing a close-knit community feel for its students. The school setting offers opportunities for students to connect with their surroundings and build strong relationships within the local community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sims 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
Sims Middle — Students at Sims Middle score 21% 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: 4.2/10.
How Sims Middle Compares
See how Sims Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
2200 Whitmire Highway, Union, SC 29379
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sims Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Monarch Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitmire Community School (Elementary) (rated 8.4/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Whitmire), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Pauline), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union, see our Union schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Monarch Elementary Union | 2.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Foster Park Elementary Union | 2.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Buffalo Elementary Buffalo | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Union County High Union | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| UNION CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Union | 4.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Jonesville Elementary Middle Jonesville | 9.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Whitmire Community School (Elementary) Whitmire | 14.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Whitmire Community School (High) Whitmire | 14.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Tyger River High Enoree | 12.9 mi | — |
| Pacolet Elementary Pacolet | 18.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary Pauline | 18.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Clinton High Clinton | 19.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Clinton Middle Clinton | 20.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney | 22.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Eastside Elementary Clinton | 20.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Summit Classical School Clinton | 21.0 mi | 7.1 |
| M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton | 21.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary Hickory Grove | 22.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Joanna Woodson Elementary Joanna | 22.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Draytonville Elementary Gaffney | 24.3 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29379 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,178
Median Home Value
$103,000
Median Rent
$789/mo
Population
17,580
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
64.8%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
23.5%
Median Age
45.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sims Middle has a median household income of $40,178. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $103,000, with a median rent of $789/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.5%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter, SC | 4.6 |
| Beck International Academy Greenville, SC | 4.6 |
| Black Water Middle Conway, SC | 4.6 |
| R. C. Edwards Middle Central, SC | 4.5 |
| Starr-Iva Middle Starr, SC | 4.5 |
| Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle Johnston, SC | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sims Middle
What grades does Sims Middle serve?
Sims Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Sims Middle?
Sims Middle has an enrollment of approximately 635 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sims Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Sims Middle is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sims Middle rank in SC?
Sims Middle is ranked #1003 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Sims Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sims Middle has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Sims Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sims Middle has 18.3% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sims Middle a charter school?
No, Sims Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sims Middle a Title I school?
No, Sims Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sims Middle?
100.0% of students at Sims 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 (7,556/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Union). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 635
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (864) 429-1755
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union 01- District Enrollment
- 3,658
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,526
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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