Below Average
#882 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
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,093
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#882 of 1,176
In Florence
#13 of 21
public schools
In district
#15 of 23
Florence 01
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Southside Middle
Middle School in Florence · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South Florence High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pursuit Christian Academy (formerly Faith Christia
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southside Middle
Southside Middle is a public middle school in Florence, SC, part of Florence 01. Southside Middle serves approximately 1,093 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #882 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Southside Middle show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.0
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
Southside 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 28 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: 4.5/10.
How Southside Middle Compares
See how Southside Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Florence High (rated 8.1/10, 5.4 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 | 8.3 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| HIGHLAND PARK KINDERGARTEN Florence | 2.8 mi | — |
| Briggs Elementary Florence | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Savannah Grove Elementary Effingham | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Royall Elementary Florence | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Greenwood Elementary Florence | 3.2 mi | 4.6 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Florence | 4.0 mi | — |
| Child Development Center at Woods Road Florence | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| McLaurin Elementary Florence | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Delmae Heights Elementary Florence | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
| West Florence High Florence | 5.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Carver Elementary Florence | 5.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Henry L. Sneed Middle Florence | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carolina Springs Middle Lexington, SC | 4.9 |
| West Oak Middle Westminster, SC | 4.9 |
| Black Water Middle Conway, SC | 5.0 |
| Hartsville Middle Hartsville, SC | 5.0 |
| Woodmont Middle Piedmont, SC | 4.8 |
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter, SC | 5.1 |
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 ranks #882 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Southside Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Southside Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside Middle has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.7%
- Phone
- (843) 664-8467
Resources & Links
District
Florence 01- District Enrollment
- 15,910
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,162
- District Rank
- #15 of 23
Other Schools in This District
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