Best Middle Schools in Hopkins, SC

Hopkins, South Carolina is served by two middle schools, Southeast Middle and Hopkins Middle, both part of the Richland 01 school district and catering to grades 6-8 with nearly identical enrollments of around 460 students each.

When comparing the two schools, Hopkins Middle holds a slight edge in overall state ranking (290th vs. 293rd), but Southeast Middle counters with significantly lower chronic absenteeism (22.2% vs. 33.7%) and stronger 6th-grade science scores (41.9% vs. 29.8%). Both schools post exceptional Algebra 1 EOCEP results—100% and 99.99% proficiency respectively—far exceeding the district (69.75%) and state (73.95%), though this likely reflects a highly selective group of advanced students. In English Language Arts, Hopkins Middle shines in 7th grade with 48% proficiency, nearly matching the district average, while Southeast Middle leads in 6th grade at 43.8%. Mathematics remains the critical weakness at both schools, with proficiency rates ranging from 14.5% to 27.2%—roughly 20-27 points below state averages across all grade levels.

For parents, the most actionable insight is the stark absenteeism gap: one in three students at Hopkins Middle is chronically absent, compared to one in five at Southeast Middle, which likely contributes to inconsistent year-over-year performance. Both schools show volatility—Hopkins Middle improved 6th-grade math by 108% in one year, while Southeast Middle saw 8th-grade math plummet from 16.6% to 7.9%. Despite spending $20,000-$22,000 per student—well above typical levels—both schools rank in the bottom 13th percentile statewide, suggesting that funding alone isn't solving the core challenges. The 7th-grade ELA program at Hopkins Middle stands out as a potential model worth replicating, while improving attendance at both schools could yield meaningful academic gains.