Summary:
In zip code 29536, there is just one middle school, Dillon Middle, serving grades 6 through 8 with an enrollment of 624 students in the Dillon 04 district.
For parents considering this area, the standout feature at Dillon Middle is its exceptional performance in advanced math: 100% of 8th graders taking the Algebra 1 EOCEP exam scored proficient, far above the state average of 73.95%. However, this success does not extend to the general student body. On standard state tests, math proficiency is very low, ranging from just 16% in 7th grade to 30% in 8th grade, while ELA proficiency sits between 36% and 42% across grades—all well below state averages. The school ranks in the 14th percentile statewide (288th out of 335 middle schools), a slight decline from the previous year.
The most pressing concern is chronic absenteeism, which affects 44.5% of students—more than double the state average of 22.3%. This likely plays a major role in the low test scores. Interestingly, the school spends a substantial $12,840 per student, yet this high funding has not translated into strong academic outcomes, suggesting resource allocation and instructional effectiveness may need attention. The student-teacher ratio is a standard 16:1. While 8th-grade ELA showed relative strength in the prior year (47.9% proficiency), the overall picture is one of a school facing significant challenges, particularly in math and attendance. Parents should be aware that while the advanced math program is clearly excellent, the majority of students are struggling, and addressing the absenteeism crisis will be critical to improving results.
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