- Enrollment
- 1,905
- Students per teacher
- 20.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Lancaster, SC
South Middle
Federal NCES profile for South Middle, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 48/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 450258001263
👥 S:T ratio 51
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 71
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Middle earns 48/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 77% of South Carolina schools.
- #1 of 3
- middle schools in Lancaster · Resource Index
- 48
- Resource Index · Typical
- 12.2:1
- small classes for South Carolina
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Middle has class sizes smaller than 77% of South Carolina schools. Computed live against every South Carolina school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Middle ranks #1 of 3 middle schools in Lancaster, SC.
School address
District: Lancaster 01 · South Carolina
NCES ID 450258001263 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-42 students YoY
South Middle shrank from 534 students in 2022-23 to 492 in 2023-24 (-7.9%).
Teacher FTE lost 36.0 → 35.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-42 students YoY 450258001263 · Lancaster, SC Middle · SMALL · TRAD
439 enr · 12.2:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 48
Nearest enrollment peer: Indian Land High (1,905 students)
South Middle shrank from 534 students in 2022-23 to 492 in 2023-24 (-7.9%). Teacher FTE lost 36.0 → 35.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · South Carolina schools → · Find another →
South Middle in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Indian Land Hi
Indian Land High
1,905 students
- Lancaster High
Lancaster High
1,390 students
- Indian Land In
Indian Land Intermediate
1,181 students
- Harrisburg Ele
Harrisburg Elementary
1,161 students
- Indian Land Mi
Indian Land Middle
1,102 students
- This school 439
South Middle
439 students
What this shows South Middle reports 439 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Middle compares
South Middle is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs South Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs South Carolina | South Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 12.2:1 | ▼ 15% | 14.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 35% | 74.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 439 | top 64% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
12.2:1
Leaner classes than 74% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
439
Bigger than 53% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
100.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 35% above the South Carolina average of 74.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
12.2:1
students per teacher
- 15% below state mean
Top 23% in South Carolina - lower ratio than 77% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
46.0%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$12,216
per pupil, district-wide
- below South Carolina avg of $15,911
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors3.0 FTE
Per 146 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
200
in-school suspensions + 171 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 45.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 84.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 3 expulsions.
Student demographics
African American 50.0%
White 22.6%
Hispanic or Latino 22.6%
Two or More 4.1%
Asian 0.7%
Largest group: African American at 50.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 64.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 64.6, South Middle is more mixed than the South Carolina school average of 52.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Lancaster 01 reports $12,216 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Middle Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Land High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Lancaster High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Indian Land Intermediate | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Harrisburg Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Indian Land Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Middle's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,390
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 1,181
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 1,161
- Students per teacher
- 19:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 1,102
- Students per teacher
- 17.8:1
- Resource Index
- 57/100
Similar middle schools in Lancaster
2 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~439 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Middle
How many students attend South Middle?
South Middle has 439 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Lancaster, SC. CCD year-over-year: 534 (2022-23) → 492 (2023-24), down 42.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Middle is 12.2:1, which is 15% lower than the South Carolina average of 14.3:1 and 22% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Middle?
100.0% of students at South Middle are eligible for free lunch, compared to the South Carolina average of 74.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Middle?
The largest demographic group at South Middle is African American at 50.0% of enrollment, in Lancaster, SC. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 64.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Middle?
South Middle has a Resource Investment Index of 48/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Middle rank among middle schools in Lancaster?
By Resource Investment Index, South Middle ranks #1 of 3 middle schools in Lancaster, SC. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Lancaster on the city page.
What other schools are in Lancaster 01?
Besides South Middle, Lancaster 01 also operates Indian Land High (1,905 students), Lancaster High (1,390 students), and Indian Land Intermediate (1,181 students). See the Lancaster 01 district page for the complete list.