Needs Improvement
#1131 of 1,176 schools in SC
South Middle
Middle School · Lancaster 01
1551 Billings Drive, Lancaster, SC 29720
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#12 of 14
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#235 of 249
In district
#20 of 22
Lancaster 01
About South Middle
South Middle is a regular public middle school in Lancaster, South Carolina. Located at 1551 Billings Drive, the school serves students from sixth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 492 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. The school has 35 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse group of learners.
South Middle focuses on nurturing young minds in a town setting that provides both community engagement and academic opportunities. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10, the school is working hard to improve its academic performance, ranking at #1124 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, which places it in the 6th percentile. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 28%, while math proficiency is currently at 15%.
These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on student development and academic growth. South Middle is part of a supportive community in Lancaster County that values education and works together to support its students' future success.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Middle — Students at South Middle score 17% 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: 3.3/10.
How South Middle Compares
See how South Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
1551 Billings Drive, Lancaster, SC 29720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Buford Middle (rated 5.9/10, 9.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Andrew Jackson Middle (rated 4.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Kershaw), which scores notably higher. Additionally, A. R. Rucker Middle (rated 3.4/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 0.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 2.8 mi | — |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 3.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 8.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Van Wyck Elementary Lancaster | 10.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Buford Middle Lancaster | 9.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Buford Elementary Lancaster | 9.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Buford High Lancaster | 9.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Great Falls Elementary Great Falls | 11.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Great Falls High Great Falls | 11.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Indian Land High Lancaster | 13.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw | 12.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 13.0 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,039
Median Home Value
$212,800
Median Rent
$845/mo
Population
51,603
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Middle has a median household income of $59,039. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,800, with a median rent of $845/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster, SC | 3.4 |
| Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill, SC | 3.6 |
| Jackson STEM Magnet Jackson, SC | 3.4 |
| Sangaree Middle Ladson, SC | 3.4 |
| Chestnut Oaks Middle Sumter, SC | 3.3 |
| Dillon Middle Dillon, SC | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Middle
What grades does South Middle serve?
South Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Middle?
South Middle has an enrollment of approximately 492 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Middle is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Middle rank in SC?
South Middle is ranked #1131 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is South Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle has a composite rating of 3.5 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 South Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle has 15.3% math proficiency and 27.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Middle a charter school?
No, South Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Middle a Title I school?
No, South Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Middle?
100.0% of students at South 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (7,243/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 492
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lancaster County
- Phone
- (803) 283-8416
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #20 of 22
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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