Summary:
In zip code 29010, located in the Bishopville area of South Carolina, there is just one middle school serving grades 6 through 8: Lee Central Middle, which is part of the Lee 01 school district.
For parents considering this area, Lee Central Middle is the only option for middle school, and it faces significant academic challenges. The school ranks in the bottom 3% of all middle schools in South Carolina, coming in at 326th out of 335 schools. Test scores are well below state averages across all subjects. In English Language Arts, proficiency ranges from 24.5% in 6th grade to 33.7% in 8th grade, compared to a state average of roughly 56-59%. Mathematics is a particular area of concern, with proficiency rates between 9.6% and 15.4%, which is less than half of the already-low ELA scores and far below the state average of about 41-44%. Science proficiency for 6th graders is 19.1% versus the state's 51.9%.
One of the most striking findings is the disconnect between resources and results. The school spends a very high $23,994 per student and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.2, suggesting smaller class sizes and significant financial investment. Despite this, outcomes remain low, indicating the challenges may stem from factors beyond funding. A major red flag is the chronic absenteeism rate of 37.0%, which is significantly higher than the district's 25.1% and the state's 22.3%. This means more than one in three students is missing substantial school time, which directly impacts learning. Test scores also fluctuate year to year, showing instability rather than consistent improvement. Since this is the only middle school in the district, the entire Lee 01 district's middle school performance is tied directly to this one school, making it the clear focal point for any improvement efforts.
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