Sims Middle

Sims Middle in Union, SC, serves 606 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Union 01 school district, with a favorable 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio and 100% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.

The most remarkable bright spot at Sims Middle is its Algebra 1 program: for three consecutive years, 100% of students taking the Algebra 1 End-of-Course Exam have scored proficient, dramatically outpacing both the district (67.5%) and state (74%) averages. This perfect record suggests the school has found an exceptionally effective approach for its advanced math students. However, this success stands in stark contrast to grade-level math performance, where only about 31-35% of students meet proficiency standards—roughly 10 points below state averages. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $13,853 per pupil (up 29% over three years) while steadily reducing class sizes, yet overall rankings have slipped from the 32nd to 26th percentile statewide.

A significant concern is chronic absenteeism: 33.7% of students were chronically absent in 2024-2025, which is 51% higher than the state average of 22.3% and consistently 10-15 points above the district rate for years. This attendance crisis likely contributes to the school's academic struggles. Performance varies notably by grade and subgroup—7th graders nearly match state ELA averages while 6th graders lag significantly, and outcomes for specific student populations swing dramatically from year to year. The school's overall pattern suggests it excels at preparing its highest-achieving students for advanced coursework while facing systemic challenges in lifting broader achievement, making attendance support and consistent instruction across all grade levels key areas for parents to watch.