Midlands Middle College

Midlands Middle College is a small public charter high school in West Columbia, SC, serving just 115 students in grades 10 through 12 through a unique "middle college" model that lets students earn college credits while completing their diploma.

The most encouraging news for parents is the school's dramatic improvement in graduation rates. Over the past two years, the graduation rate has jumped from 67.8% to 88.9%—now above the district average of 77.4% and slightly above the state average of 86.7%. This is a remarkable turnaround. However, the school faces serious challenges with student retention. The dropout rate of 11.3% is more than five times the state average, and chronic absenteeism sits at 32.5%, well above the state's 22.3%. For a school this small, just a handful of students leaving or missing school regularly has an outsized impact. The school also shows uneven academic results: while 72.7% of students scored proficient in English 2, only 54.8% were proficient in U.S. History, below both district and state averages.

Financially, Midlands Middle College is remarkably efficient. At $9,542 per student, it spends roughly a third to a half of what nearby traditional high schools spend—for example, C. A. Johnson High spends $29,536 per student. Despite this lean budget, it outperforms several struggling neighbors in graduation rates, including Eau Claire High and Columbia High. However, it doesn't match the top-tier schools in the area—River Bluff High boasts a 94.1% graduation rate and a 0.9% dropout rate, while Gray Collegiate Academy achieves 100% graduation with zero dropouts. The school's recent improvements are promising, but its volatile history—with dropout rates swinging between 11.3% and 24.1% over five years—means parents should monitor progress carefully. For students seeking a cost-effective, non-traditional path to a diploma, this school offers real potential, but it requires a student who is motivated to show up and stay engaged.