William J. Clark Middle

William J. Clark Middle serves 587 students in grades 6-8 in Orangeburg, SC, and is part of the Orangeburg school district, where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school has seen a steady decline in its state ranking over the past five years, dropping from the 24th percentile in 2020-2021 to just the 4th percentile in 2025-2026, placing it at 321st out of 335 middle schools statewide. The most significant concern is mathematics proficiency, where only 8.5% of 6th graders, 14.2% of 7th graders, and 16.6% of 8th graders scored proficient in 2025-2026—roughly 25-32 percentage points below state averages. This is particularly stark when compared to nearby Carver Edisto Middle, where 39.2% of 6th graders were proficient in math, and Robert E. Howard Middle, just 1.55 miles away, which outperforms Clark in most subjects. Chronic absenteeism is also a major issue, with 34.7% of students missing significant school time compared to the state average of 22.3%.

Despite these challenges, there are bright spots worth noting. Students taking Algebra 1 achieve exceptional results, with 92.86% scoring proficient in 2023-2024 compared to the state's 72.5%, suggesting the school effectively supports its advanced learners. Additionally, outcomes for disabled students have improved dramatically, rising from the 2nd percentile to the 20th percentile over two years. The school also shows grade-level progress in English Language Arts, with proficiency improving from 27.9% in 6th grade to 41% in 8th grade. With per-student spending at $15,460 and an improved student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school has resources to work with—the challenge is scaling its successes to benefit all students.