Summary
Dent Middle in Columbia, SC, serves approximately 1,059 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Richland 02 school district, and currently holds a 2-star rating, ranking in the 44th percentile statewide.
Dent Middle shows a fascinating mix of strengths and challenges. The school's most impressive achievement is in Algebra 1, where 100% of students scored proficient on the End-of-Course exam—far exceeding the district average of 70.4% and the state average of 73.95%. This pattern has been consistent for several years, with proficiency rates above 95%. The gifted and talented program also performs well, ranking in the 75th percentile with a 4-star rating. However, the school faces significant challenges in other areas. Students with disabilities rank in the bottom 10% statewide, and the school has a notable achievement gap across different student groups. While some students perform in the top 10% statewide, others rank much lower, highlighting disparities that families should be aware of when considering this school.
Compared to nearby schools, Dent Middle sits in a middle position. Crayton Middle (3.29 miles away) and Blythewood Middle (9.11 miles away) both achieve 4-star ratings with significantly higher test scores across most subjects. For example, in 8th grade math, Crayton achieves 57.2% proficiency compared to Dent's 35.5%. However, Dent outperforms several Richland 01 schools like St. Andrews Middle and W. A. Perry Middle, which rank in the bottom 10% statewide. The school spends $15,232 per student—more than Blythewood Middle's $12,833—yet achieves lower overall results, raising questions about resource allocation. On a positive note, chronic absenteeism has improved from 28.3% to 20.6% over the past two years, now below the state average. Families should also note the school's declining trajectory, dropping from the 56th percentile in 2021-2022 to the 44th percentile in 2025-2026.
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