Summary
Camden Middle in Camden, SC, serves 844 students in grades 6-8 and is the largest middle school in the Kershaw 01 district. The school has shown steady improvement over the past seven years, moving from the 42nd to the 51st percentile in statewide rankings, and it stands out for its exceptional Algebra 1 performance—88.1% of students scored proficient in 2024-2025, well above the state average of 73.95%. This strength has been consistent for three straight years, with proficiency rates in the high 80s to mid-90s.
Attendance is another bright spot. Camden Middle reduced its chronic absenteeism rate from 25.3% in 2021-2022 to 19.4% in 2024-2025, which is better than both the district (21.0%) and state (22.3%) averages. It also outperforms nearby schools like North Central Middle (32.2%) and Ebenezer Middle (32.8%). The school is also efficient with its budget, spending $11,679 per student—about $2,500 less than Lugoff-Elgin Middle ($14,199) and Kelly Mill Middle ($14,337)—while still achieving comparable results in many areas.
However, there are challenges. While Algebra scores are strong, standard math proficiency in grades 6-8 lags behind the state, particularly in 8th grade (35.8% vs. 44.2% statewide). The school also faces significant achievement gaps: students from low-income backgrounds rank at the 29th percentile, English Language Learners at the 2nd percentile, and students with disabilities at the 14th percentile. On a positive note, 8th grade math improved by 12.6 percentage points year-over-year, and the school ranks 1st statewide for military-connected students. Overall, Camden Middle is a school with clear strengths in Algebra, attendance, and efficiency, but it has room to grow in supporting its most vulnerable learners.
Thank you for your feedback!