Summary:
The city of Wando, South Carolina is home to a single standout middle school, Philip Simmons Middle, which has consistently ranked among the top 100 middle schools in the state over the past few years. This school serves grades 5-8 and is part of the Berkeley 01 school district.
Philip Simmons Middle School is a high-performing institution, with students consistently outperforming their peers across the district and state on standardized tests, particularly in English Language Arts and Algebra/Math. In the 2024-2025 school year, 100% of students were proficient or better in Algebra 1/Mathematics, compared to 65.63% for the district and 73.95% statewide. The school also boasts a lower chronic absenteeism rate of 22.5%, which is below the state average. Despite having a relatively high free/reduced lunch rate of 47.58%, the school is still able to achieve strong academic outcomes, suggesting effective support for economically disadvantaged students.
With a student-teacher ratio of 15.4 to 1 and per-student spending of $12,590, which is higher than the typical spending in the state, Philip Simmons Middle School appears to be investing in resources and programs that benefit its students. The school's consistent improvement in its statewide ranking, from 137th in 2022-2023 to 100th in 2024-2025, demonstrates a positive trajectory and a commitment to continuous improvement, making it a standout institution in the Wando area.
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