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Below Average

#1051 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

4.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,051 of 1,176

In Union

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 6

Union 01

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Sims Middle

4.0/10

Middle School in Union · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Monarch Elementary

6.3/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Foster Park Elementary

3.4/10

2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sims Middle

Sims Middle is a public middle school in Union, SC, part of Union 01. Sims Middle serves approximately 635 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sims Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,051 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Sims Middle show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below SC schools
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • SC avg 5.3

What Parents Should Know

Sims Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

30% of students at Sims Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,526
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

Sims Middle — Students at Sims Middle score 21% 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 38.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
26%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
27%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Sims Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
11th percentile in SC
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2200 Whitmire Highway, Union, SC 29379

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sims Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Whitmire Community School (Elementary) (rated 7.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Whitmire), which scores notably higher. Another option is Summit Classical School (rated 7.7/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, UNION CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.4 miles away), 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 6.3
Foster Park Elementary Union 2.8 mi 3.4
Buffalo Elementary Buffalo 4.2 mi 4.5
Union County High Union 4.7 mi 5.7
UNION CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Union 4.4 mi 7.6
Jonesville Elementary Middle Jonesville 9.2 mi 3.7
Whitmire Community School (Elementary) Whitmire 14.2 mi 7.9
Whitmire Community School (High) Whitmire 14.2 mi 6.6
Tyger River High Enoree 12.9 mi
Pacolet Elementary Pacolet 18.0 mi 6.0
Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary Pauline 18.4 mi 6.9
Clinton High Clinton 19.7 mi 7.1
Clinton Middle Clinton 20.3 mi 5.9
Corinth Elementary Gaffney 22.8 mi 6.5
Eastside Elementary Clinton 20.6 mi 4.0
Summit Classical School Clinton 21.0 mi 7.7
M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton 21.1 mi 5.5
Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary Hickory Grove 22.3 mi 5.3
Joanna Woodson Elementary Joanna 22.5 mi 5.4
Draytonville Elementary Gaffney 24.3 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney, SC 4.0
Leslie M. Stover Middle Elgin, SC 4.0
Westview Middle Goose Creek, SC 4.0
CrossRoads Intermediate Columbia, SC 4.1
Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science North Charleston, SC 4.1
North Augusta Middle North Augusta, SC 4.1

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 ranks #1,051 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Sims Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sims Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sims Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sims Middle has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

Union 01
District Enrollment
3,658
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,526
District Rank
#4 of 6

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