Average
#614 of 1,176 schools in SC
Southside Middle
Middle School · Florence 01
209 W. Jones Paul Road, Florence, SC 29505
Enrollment
1,093
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,093
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Florence
#11 of 21
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#79 of 249
In district
#14 of 23
Florence 01
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Southside Middle
Southside Middle serves 1,093 students in grades 6 through 8 in Florence, South Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1 across its 75 full-time equivalent teaching staff. The school operates as a regular public middle school and currently has room for academic growth, with 40% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 23% reaching proficiency in mathematics. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranking 967th among South Carolina's 1,192 schools, Southside Middle is focusing on student development and academic improvement.
The substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger middle schools in the area, providing opportunities for diverse programming and peer interaction. The school draws from the 29505 zip code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $65,404 and median home values around $164,500. About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 15.2% among the zip code's 24,562 residents.
Southside Middle is situated in a rural setting near the town of Florence, offering students a blend of small-town community feel with access to the resources and opportunities that come with proximity to the larger Florence area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southside 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
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Southside Middle — Students at Southside Middle score 32% 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: 7.3/10.
How Southside Middle Compares
See how Southside Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 23% (2019) to 23% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
209 W. Jones Paul Road, Florence, SC 29505
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Florence High (rated 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Briggs Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Florence, see our Florence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Florence High Florence | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| PURSUIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (FORMERLY FAITH CHRISTIA Florence | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| FLORENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Dewey-Carter Elementary Effingham | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| HIGHLAND PARK KINDERGARTEN Florence | 2.8 mi | — |
| Briggs Elementary Florence | 3.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Savannah Grove Elementary Effingham | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Royall Elementary Florence | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary Florence | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Florence | 4.0 mi | — |
| Child Development Center at Woods Road Florence | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
| McLaurin Elementary Florence | 4.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Delmae Heights Elementary Florence | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FLORENCE Florence | 4.6 mi | 7.1 |
| MARANATHA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence | 4.3 mi | 5.0 |
| R.N. Beck Child Development Center Florence | 5.3 mi | 6.9 |
| West Florence High Florence | 5.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Carver Elementary Florence | 5.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Henry L. Sneed Middle Florence | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence | 5.6 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,194
Median Home Value
$174,100
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
23,953
College Educated
26.2%
Homeownership
71.9%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Middle has a median household income of $64,194. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,100, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Glenview Middle Anderson, SC | 6.2 |
| Rainbow Lake Middle Chesnee, SC | 6.2 |
| Berry Shoals Intermediate Duncan, SC | 6.3 |
| Rollings Middle School of the Arts Summerville, SC | 6.3 |
| St. James Middle Myrtle Beach, SC | 6.3 |
| Wren Middle Piedmont, SC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Middle
What grades does Southside Middle serve?
Southside Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southside Middle?
Southside Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,093 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Middle is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Middle rank in SC?
Southside Middle is ranked #614 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Southside Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Middle has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Southside Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Middle has 21.3% math proficiency and 39.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Middle a charter school?
No, Southside Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Middle a Title I school?
No, Southside Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Middle?
100.0% of students at Southside 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Florence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,093
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 75
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Florence County
- Phone
- (843) 664-8467
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Florence 01- District Enrollment
- 15,910
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,162
- District Rank
- #14 of 23
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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