Skip to main content

Below Average

#878 of 1,176 schools in SC

Whale Branch Middle

Middle School · Beaufort 01

2009 Trask Parkway, Seabrook, SC 29941

Enrollment

226

Student-Teacher

6.6:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#878 of 1,176

In Seabrook

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#30 of 32

Beaufort 01

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Whale Branch Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Whale Branch Middle

4.9/10

Middle School in Seabrook · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whale Branch Elementary

3.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Whale Branch Early College High

9.4/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Whale Branch Middle

Whale Branch Middle is a public middle school in Seabrook, SC, part of Beaufort 01. Whale Branch Middle serves approximately 226 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 6.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Whale Branch Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #878 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Whale Branch Middle show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • SC avg 5.3

What Parents Should Know

At 6.6:1 students to teachers, Whale Branch Middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Whale Branch 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 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,232
Chronic Absenteeism26.5%

Whale Branch Middle — Students at Whale Branch Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
72%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
25%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Whale Branch Middle Compares

See how Whale Branch Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
25th percentile in SC
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2009 Trask Parkway, Seabrook, SC 29941

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whale Branch Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lady's Island Middle (rated 5.6/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Beaufort Middle (rated 5.3/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Seabrook, see our Seabrook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Whale Branch Elementary Seabrook 0.2 mi 3.9
Whale Branch Early College High Seabrook 1.2 mi 9.4
AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco 1.7 mi 7.3
AMIKIDS BEAUFORT Seabrook 4.2 mi
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort 6.2 mi 4.1
Battery Creek High Beaufort 6.9 mi 8.9
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Beaufort 7.5 mi 7.0
Broad River Elementary Beaufort 7.8 mi 6.5
Beaufort Elementary Beaufort 7.8 mi 6.6
Bridges Preparatory School Beaufort 7.7 mi 8.3
BEAUFORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaufort 8.5 mi 4.3
Coosa Elementary Beaufort 8.1 mi 8.8
Beaufort Middle Beaufort 9.6 mi 5.3
BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort 9.0 mi 7.4
Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort 9.7 mi 6.4
Beaufort High Beaufort 9.5 mi 7.8
Riverview Charter School Beaufort 10.2 mi 7.8
ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beaufort 9.9 mi 7.7
Lady's Island Middle Beaufort 10.1 mi 5.6
Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort 10.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,700

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Population

246

College Educated

68.3%

Homeownership

94%

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

71

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ware Shoals Elementary Middle Ware Shoals, SC 4.9
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia, SC 4.8
Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City, SC 4.8
Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston, SC 5.1
Scott's Branch Middle Summerton, SC 4.7
St. Stephen Middle St. Stephen, SC 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whale Branch Middle

What grades does Whale Branch Middle serve?

Whale Branch Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Whale Branch Middle?

Whale Branch Middle has an enrollment of approximately 226 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whale Branch Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Whale Branch Middle is 6.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whale Branch Middle rank in SC?

Whale Branch Middle ranks #878 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Whale Branch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Whale Branch 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 Whale Branch Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whale Branch Middle has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Whale Branch Middle a charter school?

No, Whale Branch Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whale Branch Middle a Title I school?

No, Whale Branch Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whale Branch Middle?

100.0% of students at Whale Branch 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beaufort County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.5%

District

Beaufort 01
District Enrollment
21,489
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,232
District Rank
#30 of 32

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.