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Alcorn Middle

Q: Is Alcorn Middle a good school?

Alcorn Middle ranks in the bottom 0.3% of South Carolina middle schools.

Q: How many students attend Alcorn Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 381 students attended Alcorn Middle.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Alcorn Middle?

Students at Alcorn Middle are 77% African American, 14% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% White.

Q: What high school do graduates of Alcorn Middle attend?

Students who attend Alcorn Middle usually go on to attend Eau Claire High

Public Grades 6-8

340^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 341 South Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 0% of South Carolina middle schools

Summary

Alcorn Middle in Columbia, SC, serves 381 students in grades 6-8 within the Richland 01 school district, where 100% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. The school has ranked in the bottom 1-2% of South Carolina middle schools for the past decade, with its 2025-2026 ranking of 334th out of 335 schools representing its lowest point ever recorded.

Academic proficiency at Alcorn is critically low across all subjects, with math being the most concerning area. In 2025-2026, only 9.8% of 8th graders were proficient in math, compared to 57.2% at Crayton Middle just 4 miles away, and 17.0% at W. A. Perry Middle only 1.8 miles away. ELA proficiency tells a similar story: 29.8% of Alcorn 8th graders met grade-level standards versus 66.1% at Crayton and 46.5% at W. A. Perry. Even 6th grade math proficiency has remained in the single digits to low teens since 2022-2023, when only 0.8% of students were proficient. Every student subgroup—including female, male, African American, low-income, and disabled students—ranks in the bottom 1% statewide, indicating the school is failing to meet the needs of virtually all its students.

Despite spending $22,494 per student—roughly 30% more than Crayton Middle's $17,291—the additional resources have not translated into better outcomes. Chronic absenteeism has more than doubled from 13.6% in 2021-2022 to 32.1% in 2024-2025, now 10 points above the district average. While nearby schools serving similar populations also struggle (W. A. Perry has a 47% chronic absenteeism rate), Alcorn's performance remains notably worse. The school's student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 is actually better than Crayton's 14.0:1, yet achievement gaps persist. One bright spot: 6th grade science proficiency (14.4%) is relatively stronger than math, suggesting hands-on instruction may be more engaging. The data indicates that Alcorn needs comprehensive intervention beyond increased funding—focusing on instructional quality, attendance, and community partnerships to break a decade-long cycle of low achievement.

381

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$22,494

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5125 Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29203

(803) 735-3439

District: Richland 01

Students who attend Alcorn Middle usually attend:

High:

Eau Claire High

Feeder schools for Alcorn Middle:

Elementary:	Arden Elementary
	J. P. Thomas Elementary

Racial breakdown:

African American:

77.4%

Hispanic:

14.4%

Two or more races:

5.0%

See top rated South Carolina middle schools

Compare Alcorn Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 8th percentile in 2016 → <1st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the South Carolina average (17% vs 51% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (<1st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (32% vs 22% South Carolina)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school17%

District avg40%

South Carolina avg51%

340^th of 341

South Carolina public middle schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 8 pts since 2016

From bottom 8% (2016) to bottom 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 9Middle Schools in the Richland 01

55^th of 75Richland 01 among South Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	4.0	340 of 341	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	6.4	318 of 321	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.7	317 of 322	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.4	323 of 325	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.4	309 of 310	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	7.4	307 of 311	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	12.7	284 of 315	9.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	10.7	283 of 303	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	11.2	298 of 317	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	12.2	279 of 303	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	14.0	278 of 301	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	16.7	256 of 291	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	14.9	249 of 276	9.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	12.9	246 of 271	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	12.0	248 of 269	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	4.0	256 of 261	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	5.0	244 of 249	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	2.9	243 of 244	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	2.7	233 of 236	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	4.8	226 of 231	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	7.5	224 of 230	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	5.2	225 of 230	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2003	3.5	220 of 225	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	10.1	255 of 258	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.9	247 of 251	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	15.4	235 of 246	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.2	251 of 253	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.2	243 of 249	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	18.9	219 of 235	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	34.0	177 of 252	29.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	25.2	199 of 237	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	8.8	192 of 192	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	11.7	182 of 184	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	28.6	154 of 195	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.5	178 of 194	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	41.6	67 of 117	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	5.2	309 of 310	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	8.4	285 of 295	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.6	276 of 293	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.7	296 of 299	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.0	281 of 290	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	6.2	278 of 279	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	12.2	270 of 296	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.0	260 of 281	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	9.8	136 of 141	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	8.7	126 of 129	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	45.3	66 of 123	46.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	4.1	325 of 325	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	8.1	304 of 308	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.1	299 of 304	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.1	307 of 313	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.5	299 of 300	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	9.9	276 of 288	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	21.0	242 of 289	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	17.5	251 of 280	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	3.5	309 of 310	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	4.9	297 of 298	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	6.1	290 of 292	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.9	298 of 303	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	6.7	290 of 292	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	9.0	272 of 279	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	14.0	262 of 296	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	10.0	264 of 284	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2019)43rd percentile+33 vs school

Hispanic (2023)4th percentile+3 vs school

African American (2026)1st percentile~ school

Female (2026)<1st percentile~ school

Male (2026)<1st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)<1st percentile~ school

Disabled (2026)<1st percentile~ school

By subject vs South Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts24%-34 vs state

Science14%-38 vs state

Mathematics10%-32 vs state

★

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Schools Near Alcorn Middle

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SC READY English Language Arts (2026)						SC READY Mathematics (2026)						SC READY Science (2026)		EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2024)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 4th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 5th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 6th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 7th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 8th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 3rd Grade	SC READY Mathematics 4th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 5th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 6th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 7th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 8th Grade	SC READY Science 4th Grade	SC READY Science 6th Grade	EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Alcorn Middle	Public	6-8	5125 Fairfield Road	Columbia	29203	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 735-3439	381	31	12.4	100.0%	11 (2.9%)	295 (77.4%)	55 (14.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.0%)	4	340^th of 341 public middle schools	0.3%		6.4	318^th of 321 public middle schools	0.9%	22				25.1	17.8	29.8				10.8	9.2	9.8		14.4		$22,494	$2,572	$1,551	$4,123	$15,467	$2,904	$18,371
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy	Public, Charter	2-8	6015 N Main Street	Columbia	29224	Richland County	School Public Charter School District	Yes	No	No	No	(803) 900-0664	216	23	9.3	34.3%	106 (49.1%)	89 (41.2%)	9 (4.2%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.6%)	1.4	341^st of 341 public middle schools	0.0%		8.5	311^th of 321 public middle schools	3.1%	30	6.3	22.6	19.6	14.3	15.4		9.7	0.0	4.3	0.0	0.0		0.0	8.6		$16,348	$1,802	$163	$1,965	$11,174	$3,208	$14,383
W. A. Perry Middle	Public	6-8	2600 Barhamville Road	Columbia	29204	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 256-6347	320	32	10.0	100.0%	2 (0.6%)	289 (90.3%)	11 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.6%)	12.9	313^th of 341 public middle schools	8.2%		13.4	290^th of 321 public middle schools	9.7%	23				26.6	47.7	46.5				14.0	14.4	17.0		18.5		$30,818	$3,082	$2,054	$5,136	$19,110	$6,573	$25,683
Heyward Gibbes Middle	Public	6-8	500 Summerlea Drive	Columbia	29203	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 343-2942	252	26	9.8	100.0%	4 (1.6%)	227 (90.1%)	13 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.2%)	15.3	305^th of 341 public middle schools	10.6%		11.9	297^th of 321 public middle schools	7.5%	8				32.4	46.5	37.2				17.3	11.3	30.8		27.5		$28,273	$2,597	$1,973	$4,569	$19,307	$4,397	$23,704
W. G. Sanders Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	3455 Pine Belt Road	Columbia	29204	Richland County	Richland 01	No	Yes	No	No	(803) 735-7575	503	54	9.3	100.0%	59 (11.7%)	376 (74.8%)	46 (9.1%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.8%)	22.5	266^th of 341 public middle schools	22.0%		31.9	222^nd of 321 public middle schools	30.8%	44				43.6	50.3	36.0				24.5	28.6	26.0		31.4		$20,208	$1,375	$1,201	$2,576	$14,996	$2,637	$17,633
St. Andrews Middle	Public	6-8	1231 Bluefield Road	Columbia	29210	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 731-8910	627	58	10.8	100.0%	17 (2.7%)	523 (83.4%)	46 (7.3%)	11 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (4.6%)	9.5	323^rd of 341 public middle schools	5.3%		9.7	307^th of 321 public middle schools	4.4%	16				32.6	36.7	35.2				13.3	16.4	18.5		23.5		$18,051	$2,156	$1,651	$3,808	$11,942	$2,301	$14,244
Crayton Middle	Public	6-8	5000 Clemson Avenue	Columbia	29206	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 738-7224	952	68	14.0	100.0%	469 (49.3%)	330 (34.7%)	70 (7.4%)	17 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	64 (6.7%)	82.2	49^th of 341 public middle schools	85.6%		82.3	50^th of 321 public middle schools	84.4%	1				69.1	76.1	66.1				56.0	60.7	57.2		65.0		$17,291	$1,415	$1,114	$2,529	$12,672	$2,090	$14,761
Dent Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	2721 Decker Boulevard	Columbia	29206	Richland County	Richland 02	No	Yes	No	No	(803) 699-2750	1,059	83	12.7	100.0%	185 (17.5%)	566 (53.4%)	186 (17.6%)	67 (6.3%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (4.4%)	42.1	190^th of 341 public middle schools	44.3%		40.7	185^th of 321 public middle schools	42.4%	5				50.2	54.5	55.8				30.9	40.6	35.5		43.0		$15,232	$1,039	$661	$1,699	$11,035	$2,497	$13,532
Hand Middle	Public	6-8	2600 Wheat Street	Columbia	29205	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 343-2947	755	61	12.3	100.0%	232 (30.7%)	388 (51.4%)	82 (10.9%)	7 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (5.8%)	52.2	148^th of 341 public middle schools	56.6%		49.1	149^th of 321 public middle schools	53.6%	1				62.4	64.3	56.3				39.1	33.5	40.1		44.6		$18,872	$1,401	$1,133	$2,534	$13,897	$2,441	$16,338
Northside Middle	Public	6-8	157 Cougar Drive	West Columbia	29169	Lexington County	Lexington 02	No	No	No	No	(803) 739-4190	528	43	12.2	84.5%	124 (23.5%)	129 (24.4%)	240 (45.5%)	10 (1.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.4%)	26.1	255^th of 341 public middle schools	25.2%		29.1	234^th of 321 public middle schools	27.1%	21				38.7	45.6	52.8				17.8	17.3	38.2		41.8		$16,360	$547	$1,527	$2,074	$11,997	$2,290	$14,286

Frequently Asked Questions about Alcorn Middle

What is the racial makeup of Alcorn Middle?

Students at Alcorn Middle are 77% African American, 14% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% White.

What district is Alcorn Middle in?

Richland 01

Is Alcorn Middle a good school?

Alcorn Middle ranks in the bottom 0.3% of South Carolina middle schools.

What high school do graduates of Alcorn Middle attend?

Students who attend Alcorn Middle usually go on to attend Eau Claire High

How many students attend Alcorn Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 381 students attended Alcorn Middle.

Rate Alcorn Middle!

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Latest South Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresAug 10, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataNov 3, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 3, 2025

2024–25 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresSep 2, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.