Average
#559 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 47% in state
W. G. Sanders Middle
Middle School · Richland 01
3455 Pine Belt Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#32 of 72
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#69 of 249
In district
#21 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About W. G. Sanders Middle
W. G. Sanders Middle is a regular public middle school in Columbia, South Carolina, nestled along Pine Belt Road in Richland County.
Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 524 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While W. G.
Sanders Middle is rated at 4.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and holds a state ranking of #888 out of 1,192 schools in South Carolina (placing it in the 26th percentile), it focuses on fostering student development through supportive teaching. In academic performance, students show proficiency levels at 36% for ELA/Reading and 19% for Math, indicating areas with room for improvement but also highlighting the school's commitment to growth. W.
G. Sanders Middle is situated in a mid-size city environment where community engagement plays an important role in supporting its educational mission.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
W. G. Sanders Middle — Students at W. G. Sanders Middle score 30% 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: 5.7/10.
How W. G. Sanders Middle Compares
See how W. G. Sanders Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 19% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 41% (2022).
Location
3455 Pine Belt Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W. G. Sanders Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Crayton Middle (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is W. A. Perry Middle (rated 5.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy (rated 4.9/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 0.3 mi | — |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| A. C. Flora High Columbia | 1.6 mi | 9.0 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 1.8 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 1.8 mi | — |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Crayton Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
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. G. Sanders 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 |
|---|---|
| Aiken Intermediate Aiken, SC | 6.4 |
| Loris Middle Loris, SC | 6.4 |
| Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy Cayce, SC | 6.5 |
| Morningside Middle North Charleston, SC | 6.3 |
| York Intermediate York, SC | 6.3 |
| Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston, SC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W. G. Sanders Middle
What grades does W. G. Sanders Middle serve?
W. G. Sanders Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend W. G. Sanders Middle?
W. G. Sanders Middle has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W. G. Sanders Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at W. G. Sanders Middle is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W. G. Sanders Middle rank in SC?
W. G. Sanders Middle is ranked #559 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is W. G. Sanders Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
W. G. Sanders Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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. G. Sanders Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W. G. Sanders Middle has 19.0% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W. G. Sanders Middle a charter school?
No, W. G. Sanders Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W. G. Sanders Middle a Title I school?
No, W. G. Sanders Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W. G. Sanders Middle?
100.0% of students at W. G. Sanders 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
- 524
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 735-7575
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #21 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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