Summary:
Dorchester 04 is home to a single middle school, Woodland Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 and has an enrollment of 455 students in this South Carolina district.
For parents considering Dorchester 04, Woodland Middle School is the only option, and it presents a mixed picture. The school earns a 2-star rating and ranks 223rd out of 335 schools statewide, which is notably better than the district's overall 1-star rating. This suggests the middle school is a relative strength within the district. The student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9 is favorable, allowing for more individualized attention. Academically, the school shows a clear strength in English Language Arts, with proficiency rates improving from 41.8% in 6th grade to 54.4% in 8th grade—a positive trajectory that indicates students grow significantly during their time here. Science proficiency in 6th grade is also a bright spot at 43%, the second-highest score across all subjects and grades.
The most significant concern is mathematics. Proficiency rates in math are consistently low, ranging from 28.2% in 6th grade to 33.9% in 8th grade, which is 10-13 percentage points below state averages. While there is some improvement as students advance, math remains a critical weakness that parents should be aware of. The positive grade-level growth in both ELA and math suggests the school's interventions may be effective over time, but the starting points are low. It is also worth noting that the data lacks socioeconomic indicators like free/reduced lunch percentages, making it difficult to compare this school to others with similar demographics. Overall, Woodland Middle School offers a supportive environment with strong ELA growth, but families should expect that math achievement will require additional support and attention.
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