Below Average
#1037 of 1,176 schools in SC
W. A. Perry Middle
Middle School · Richland 01
2600 Barhamville Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,037 of 1,176
In Columbia
#62 of 72
public schools
In district
#38 of 47
Richland 01
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W. A. Perry Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Watkins-nance Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
C. A. Johnson High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About W. A. Perry Middle
W. A. Perry Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01.
W. A. Perry Middle serves approximately 310 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio.
W. A. Perry Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,037 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for W. A. Perry Middle show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 5.1
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
At 9.4:1 students to teachers, W. A. Perry Middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
58% of students at W. A. Perry 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
W. A. Perry Middle — Students at W. A. Perry Middle score 16% 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: 4.6/10.
How W. A. Perry Middle Compares
See how W. A. Perry Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2600 Barhamville Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W. A. Perry Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. W. G. Sanders Middle (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy (rated 4.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Alcorn Middle (rated 4.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 3.3 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,745
Median Home Value
$185,800
Median Rent
$993/mo
Population
18,067
College Educated
38.7%
Homeownership
59.1%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Median Age
36.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney, SC | 4.0 |
| Robert E. Howard Middle Orangeburg, SC | 4.2 |
| Long Middle Cheraw, SC | 4.3 |
| Laurens Middle Laurens, SC | 3.8 |
| Pine Ridge Middle West Columbia, SC | 3.8 |
| Sanders Middle Laurens, SC | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W. A. Perry Middle
What grades does W. A. Perry Middle serve?
W. A. Perry Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend W. A. Perry Middle?
W. A. Perry Middle has an enrollment of approximately 310 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W. A. Perry Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at W. A. Perry Middle is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W. A. Perry Middle rank in SC?
W. A. Perry Middle ranks #1,037 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is W. A. Perry Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
W. A. Perry Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 W. A. Perry Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, W. A. Perry Middle has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is W. A. Perry Middle a charter school?
No, W. A. Perry Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W. A. Perry Middle a Title I school?
No, W. A. Perry Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W. A. Perry Middle?
100.0% of students at W. A. Perry 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 310
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 57.7%
- Phone
- (803) 256-6347
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #38 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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