Average
#765 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
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#38 of 72
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#118 of 249
In district
#27 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About W. A. Perry Middle
W. A. Perry Middle is a regular public school located in Columbia, South Carolina, serving students from sixth through eighth grade.
With an enrollment of 310 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more personalized attention. The dedicated team of 33 full-time equivalent teachers work to support each student's learning journey. W.
A. Perry Middle’s MySchoolScout Rating is 3.3 out of 10 and it ranks at #1090 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 9th percentile academically. The school’s academic score is 1.3 out of 10, with proficiency rates of 20% in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math.
While these scores suggest areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on developing its students' skills through various initiatives. Located in a mid-size city setting, W. A.
Perry Middle is part of Columbia’s diverse community, offering students access to a range of cultural and educational resources beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at W. A. Perry Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, W. A. Perry Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
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 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: 6.3/10.
How W. A. Perry Middle Compares
See how W. A. Perry Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 11% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy (rated 4.9/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Alcorn Middle (rated 4.2/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 3.7 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding W. A. Perry Middle has a median household income of $49,745. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,800, with a median rent of $993/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Merriwether Middle North Augusta, SC | 5.7 |
| Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston, SC | 5.8 |
| Dacusville Middle Easley, SC | 5.6 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia, SC | 5.6 |
| Lee Central Middle Bishopville, SC | 5.6 |
| Buford Middle Lancaster, SC | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #765 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is W. A. Perry Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
W. A. Perry Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 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 W. A. Perry Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W. A. Perry Middle has 11.5% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (803) 256-6347
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #27 of 47
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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