Average
#868 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
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher
6.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seabrook
#2 of 3
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#152 of 249
In district
#28 of 32
Beaufort 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Whale Branch Middle
Whale Branch Middle, located in the rural area near Seabrook, South Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 226 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.6:1, the school benefits from a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio that allows for personalized attention in the classroom. Whale Branch Middle has 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Whale Branch Middle shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1064 out of 1,192 schools in South Carolina. In ELA/Reading, 24% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 17% meet proficiency standards. The school is focusing on student development and academic growth to better support its learners.
Whale Branch Middle is situated in a rural setting near Seabrook, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for both students and staff.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.6:1, Whale Branch 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.
Located in a rural area, Whale Branch Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Whale Branch Middle — Students at Whale Branch Middle score 20% 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
↓ 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: 4.7/10.
How Whale Branch Middle Compares
See how Whale Branch Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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 6.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Beaufort Middle (rated 4.4/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.4 |
| Whale Branch Early College High Seabrook | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| AMIKIDS BEAUFORT Seabrook | 4.2 mi | — |
| Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort | 6.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Battery Creek High Beaufort | 6.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Beaufort | 7.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Broad River Elementary Beaufort | 7.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort | 7.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Bridges Preparatory School Beaufort | 7.7 mi | 7.3 |
| BEAUFORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaufort | 8.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Coosa Elementary Beaufort | 8.1 mi | 9.5 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort | 9.6 mi | 4.4 |
| BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort | 9.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort | 9.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Beaufort High Beaufort | 9.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Riverview Charter School Beaufort | 10.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beaufort | 9.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Lady's Island Middle Beaufort | 10.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort | 10.8 mi | 5.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whale Branch Middle has a median household income of $116,700. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. L. Corbett Middle Wagener, SC | 5.3 |
| Johnsonville Middle Johnsonville, SC | 5.1 |
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City, SC | 5.1 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia, SC | 4.9 |
| Dacusville Middle Easley, SC | 5.6 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia, SC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #868 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Whale Branch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Whale Branch Middle has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Whale Branch Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whale Branch Middle has 17.0% math proficiency and 24.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,094/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (843) 466-3000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Beaufort 01- District Enrollment
- 21,489
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,232
- District Rank
- #28 of 32
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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