Sanders Middle

Summary:

Sanders Middle is a public middle school located in Laurens, South Carolina, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of 331. The school is part of the Laurens 55 School District, which is ranked 63 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sanders Middle consistently underperforms the state and district averages in standardized test scores for English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 25.6% of 6th-grade students at Sanders Middle were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the state average of 53.7%. The school also has a 100% free and reduced-lunch rate, indicating a high percentage of students from low-income families, which is significantly higher than the surrounding schools like Brewer Middle and Ware Shoals Elementary Middle, which range from 51.63% to 100% free and reduced-lunch recipients. Despite the higher spending per student at Sanders Middle, the school's academic performance remains significantly below the state and district averages.

When comparing Sanders Middle to the nearby schools, such as Ralph Chandler Middle and Woodruff Middle, several key differences emerge. Sanders Middle has a much higher percentage of African American students (47.13%) compared to the other schools, which tend to have a more diverse or predominantly white student population. The surrounding schools also consistently outperform Sanders Middle in standardized test scores, with significantly higher percentages of students proficient or better in ELA and Mathematics. These comparisons highlight the unique challenges faced by Sanders Middle and the need for targeted interventions and support to address the school's academic and socioeconomic disparities.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 609 Green Street
       Laurens, SC  29360


(864) 984-0354

District: Laurens 55

SchoolDigger Rank:
269th of 325 South Carolina Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,350 Help


Students who attend Sanders Middle usually attend:

High:    Laurens District 55 High

Feeder schools for Sanders Middle:

Elementary:    E. B. Morse Elementary
    Ford Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  9.0 Help
Number of students:  289

Racial breakdown:

African American:
46.0%
White:
36.3%
Hispanic:
14.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


 See top rated South Carolina middle schools

 Compare Sanders Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sanders Middle ranks worse than 82.8% of middle schools in South Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.37. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Sanders Middle is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (46%), White (36.3%), Hispanic (14.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sanders Middle is 9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sanders Middle employs 32 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sanders Middle is $14,350.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sanders Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Sanders Middle 269th of 325 South Carolina public middle schools. (See Sanders Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Laurens 55:

SchoolDigger ranks Laurens 55 63rd of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Sanders Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 47.08 127th 225 43.6%
2004 48.24 131st 230 43.0%
2005 30.46 174th 230 24.3%
2006 32.34 172nd 231 25.5%
2007 34.23 173rd 236 26.7%
2008 25.31 205th 244 16.0%
2009 19.93 218th 249 12.4%
2010 19.10 232nd 261 11.1%
2011 19.68 238th 269 11.5%
2012 46.76 158th 271 41.7%
2013 47.21 157th 276 43.1%
2014 41.36 179th 291 38.5%
2015 34.27 209th 301 30.6%
2016 36.84 201st 303 33.7%
2017 27.18 236th 317 25.6%
2018 25.72 228th 303 24.8%
2019 30.31 221st 315 29.8%
2021 15.66 265th 311 14.8%
2022 13.86 277th 310 10.6%
2023 25.40 245th 325 24.6%
2024 18.37 269th 325 17.2%
See the entire list of South Carolina Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.03 226th 280 19.3%
2019 26.98 225th 289 22.1%
2021 21.01 237th 288 17.7%
2022 18.45 264th 300 12.0%
2023 31.83 217th 313 30.7%
2024 22.95 254th 307 17.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.02 227th 281 19.2%
2019 29.39 222nd 296 25.0%
2021 13.48 247th 279 11.5%
2022 13.83 259th 290 10.7%
2023 19.18 242nd 299 19.1%
2024 14.14 263rd 294 10.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 26.23 159th 195 18.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.39 199th 284 29.9%
2019 32.09 208th 296 29.7%
2021 18.18 230th 279 17.6%
2022 15.12 262nd 292 10.3%
2023 35.12 191st 303 37.0%
2024 24.71 221st 294 24.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.37 198th 237 16.5%
2019 25.21 209th 252 17.1%
2021 15.22 228th 235 3.0%
2022 14.57 245th 249 1.6%
2023 29.46 188th 253 25.7%
2024 19.51 221st 248 10.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Sanders Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.64 196th 250 21.6%
2019 29.35 188th 258 27.1%
2021 12.64 220th 244 9.8%
2022 8.16 239th 249 4.0%
2023 26.93 201st 260 22.7%
2024 15.20 228th 255 10.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sanders Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Sanders Middle

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 211 226 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 437
1989 222 240 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 462
1990 220 243 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 463
1991 222 250 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 472
1992 221 249 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 470
1993 222 262 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 484
1994 203 248 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1995 187 245 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1996 187 245 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1997 179 271 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 450
1998 171 251 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 423
1999 182 236 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 420
2000 166 236 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 404
2001 187 228 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 420
2002 192 221 0 6 0 n/a n/a 1 420
2003 192 221 0 6 0 n/a n/a 1 420
2004 137 182 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 324
2005 142 167 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 314
2006 145 155 0 13 0 n/a n/a 1 314
2007 139 150 1 18 0 n/a n/a 0 308
2008 135 138 1 39 0 n/a n/a 2 315
2009 132 132 0 43 0 n/a n/a 0 307
2010 161 168 2 53 0 n/a n/a 0 384
2011 173 169 1 40 0 0 5 0 388
2012 168 170 1 34 1 0 8 0 382
2013 155 143 0 20 1 0 8 0 327
2014 151 139 1 22 1 0 8 0 322
2015 152 147 1 22 0 1 6 0 329
2016 149 133 5 31 0 1 4 0 323
2017 142 125 1 29 0 1 9 0 307
2018 129 120 0 35 0 0 13 0 297
2019 155 137 1 39 0 0 15 0 347
2020 164 135 1 41 0 0 22 0 363
2021 156 163 2 41 0 0 28 0 390
2022 130 161 2 39 0 0 14 0 346
2023 119 156 1 45 0 0 10 0 331
2024 105 133 1 42 0 0 8 0 289

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sanders Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 437 23.9 18.2 n/a
1989 462 22.8 20.2 n/a
1990 463 24.0 19.2 n/a
1991 472 25.5 18.5 32.8
1992 470 27.0 17.4 40.9
1993 484 29.0 16.7 44.4
1994 451 26.0 17.3 44.1
1995 432 21.0 20.6 49.5
1996 432 21.0 20.6 49.5
1997 450 23.0 19.6 47.8
1998 423 26.0 16.3 49.6
1999 420 26.0 16.2 55.5
2000 404 26.0 15.5 30.9
2001 420 24.0 17.5 51
2002 420 23.0 18.3 62.8
2003 420 23.0 18.3 62.8
2004 324 19.0 17.1 70.1
2005 314 19.0 16.5 73.9
2006 314 18.0 17.4 73.2
2007 308 34.0 9.1 80.5
2008 315 23.0 13.7 84
2009 307 20.0 15.4 84.4
2010 384 24.5 15.6 83.3
2011 388 22.5 17.2 79.6
2012 382 24.0 15.9 77.7
2013 327 26.0 12.5 74
2014 322 24.6 13.0 74.2
2015 329 25.0 13.1 76.9
2016 323 23.0 14.0 70.9
2017 307 22.0 13.9 100
2018 297 23.0 12.9 100
2019 347 21.0 16.5 100
2020 363 24.0 15.1 100
2021 390 27.0 14.4 100
2022 346 28.0 12.3 100
2023 331 28.0 11.8 100
2024 289 32.0 9.0 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sanders Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 437 23.9 18.2 n/a
1989 462 22.8 20.2 n/a
1990 463 24.0 19.2 n/a
1991 472 25.5 18.5 32.8
1992 470 27.0 17.4 40.9
1993 484 29.0 16.7 44.4
1994 451 26.0 17.3 44.1
1995 432 21.0 20.6 49.5
1996 432 21.0 20.6 49.5
1997 450 23.0 19.6 47.8
1998 423 26.0 16.3 49.6
1999 420 26.0 16.2 55.5
2000 404 26.0 15.5 30.9
2001 420 24.0 17.5 51
2002 420 23.0 18.3 62.8
2003 420 23.0 18.3 62.8
2004 324 19.0 17.1 70.1
2005 314 19.0 16.5 73.9
2006 314 18.0 17.4 73.2
2007 308 34.0 9.1 80.5
2008 315 23.0 13.7 84
2009 307 20.0 15.4 84.4
2010 384 24.5 15.6 83.3
2011 388 22.5 17.2 79.6
2012 382 24.0 15.9 77.7
2013 327 26.0 12.5 74
2014 322 24.6 13.0 74.2
2015 329 25.0 13.1 76.9
2016 323 23.0 14.0 70.9
2017 307 22.0 13.9 100
2018 297 23.0 12.9 100
2019 347 21.0 16.5 100
2020 363 24.0 15.1 100
2021 390 27.0 14.4 100
2022 346 28.0 12.3 100
2023 331 28.0 11.8 100
2024 289 32.0 9.0 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sanders Middle

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $482 (3.7%) $359 (2.8%) $841 (6.5%) $9,926 (77.1%) $2,100 (16.3%) $12,026 (93.5%) $12,867
2020 $444 (3.7%) $240 (2.0%) $684 (5.7%) $9,353 (77.7%) $1,998 (16.6%) $11,351 (94.3%) $12,035
2021 $501 (4.3%) $288 (2.5%) $789 (6.7%) $9,189 (78.3%) $1,759 (15.0%) $10,948 (93.3%) $11,737
2022 $844 (6.3%) $807 (6.0%) $1,651 (12.3%) $9,872 (73.8%) $1,853 (13.9%) $11,725 (87.7%) $13,376
2023 $1,338 (9.3%) $765 (5.3%) $2,103 (14.7%) $10,339 (72.0%) $1,908 (13.3%) $12,247 (85.3%) $14,350

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sanders Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 221st of 315 Middle schoolsRanks 245th of 325 Middle schools
 5.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Science (Sanders Middle)40.737.9
 2.8%
   6th Grade Science (Laurens 55)37.234
 3.2%
   6th Grade Science (South Carolina)47.143
 4.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Sanders Middle)30.746.9
 16.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Laurens 55)3042
 12%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)41.153.4
 12.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Sanders Middle)29.334.4
 5.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Laurens 55)27.123.5
 3.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)43.936.7
 7.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Sanders Middle)2828.7
 0.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Laurens 55)31.133.8
 2.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4450.1
 6.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Sanders Middle)23.310.6
 12.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Laurens 55)22.715.2
 7.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)35.331
 4.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Sanders Middle)28.129.4
 1.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Laurens 55)30.737.2
 6.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)44.553.1
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Sanders Middle)24.811.9
 12.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Laurens 55)27.316
 11.3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)36.631.6
 5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students347331
 4.6%
African American137156
 13.9%
American Indian00
Asian11
Hispanic3945
 15.4%
Pacific Islander00
White155119
 23.2%
Two or More Races1510
 33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Sanders Middle









Frequently Asked Questions about Sanders Middle

Students at Sanders Middle are 46% African American, 36% White, 15% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

Sanders Middle ranks in the bottom 17.2% of South Carolina middle schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 289 students attended Sanders Middle.

Students who attend Sanders Middle usually go on to attend Laurens District 55 High


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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