Lee Central Middle

Summary:

Lee Central Middle is a public middle school in Bishopville, South Carolina, serving 358 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Lee 01 school district, which is ranked 73 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. The student population at Lee Central Middle is predominantly African American (86.31%), with smaller percentages of White (8.94%), Hispanic (3.07%), and other racial groups.

Lee Central Middle consistently ranks among the lowest-performing middle schools in South Carolina, ranking between 290-317 out of 325 middle schools in the state over the past several years. The school's performance on state assessments is significantly below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas, with proficiency rates ranging from 0% to 28.3% in English Language Arts and 0% to 11.7% in Mathematics. Additionally, the school has a 100% free and reduced-lunch rate, indicating that all students come from low-income households, which is a key differentiating factor compared to the nearby schools, such as Alice Drive Middle, Hillcrest Middle, and Darlington Middle, which have lower percentages of students from low-income backgrounds.

Despite the relatively high per-student spending of $16,076 in the 2022-2023 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average, the resources do not appear to be translating into improved academic outcomes for the students at Lee Central Middle. The school's persistent low performance, racial disparities, and socioeconomic challenges suggest the need for a comprehensive and targeted approach to address the underlying issues and support the success of all students at the school.

Detail:

Public 6-8

41 Charlene Lane
Bishopville, SC 29010

(803) 428-2100

District: Lee 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
317^th of 325 South Carolina Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $16,076

Students who attend Lee Central Middle usually attend:

High:

Lee Central High

Feeder schools for Lee Central Middle:

Elementary:	Dennis Elementary
	Lower Lee Elementary
	West Lee Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 15.5

Number of students: 358

Racial breakdown:

African American:

86.3%

White:

8.9%

Hispanic:

3.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated South Carolina middle schools

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Lee Central Middle ranks worse than 97.5% of middle schools in South Carolina. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.55. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (86.3%), White (8.9%), Hispanic (3.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lee Central Middle is 15.5. (See more...)

Compare Lee Central Middle employs 23 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lee Central Middle is $16,076.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Lee Central Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Lee Central Middle 317^th of 325 South Carolina public middle schools. (See Lee Central 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:

Lee 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Lee 01 73^rd of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Lee Central Middle

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Rank History for all students at Lee Central Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	SC State Percentile
2011	4.01	264^th	269	1.9%
2012	2.29	269^th	271	0.7%
2013	1.06	276^th	276	0.0%
2014	1.03	290^th	291	0.3%
2015	6.15	296^th	301	1.7%
2016	7.00	294^th	303	3.0%
2017	10.30	303^rd	317	4.4%
2018	6.45	299^th	303	1.3%
2019	8.20	303^rd	315	3.8%
2021	7.45	306^th	311	1.6%
2022	9.71	296^th	310	4.5%
2023	8.43	314^th	325	3.4%
2024	8.55	317^th	325	2.5%

See the entire list of South Carolina Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lee Central Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	8.66	275^th	280	1.8%
2019	11.41	275^th	289	4.8%
2021	7.09	286^th	288	0.7%
2022	13.02	287^th	300	4.3%
2023	11.76	297^th	313	5.1%
2024	11.54	298^th	307	2.9%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Lee Central Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	5.12	277^th	281	1.4%
2019	8.66	282^nd	296	4.7%
2021	5.80	279^th	279	0.0%
2022	10.03	277^th	290	4.5%
2023	8.62	290^th	299	3.0%
2024	6.88	290^th	294	1.4%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Lee Central Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	SC State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	21.14	170^th	194	12.4%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Lee Central Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	8.46	272^nd	284	4.2%
2019	8.44	284^th	296	4.1%
2021	10.97	260^th	279	6.8%
2022	9.40	280^th	292	4.1%
2023	9.14	289^th	303	4.6%
2024	10.88	276^th	294	6.1%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Lee Central Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	14.95	231^st	237	2.5%
2019	21.09	222^nd	252	11.9%
2021	19.26	218^th	235	7.2%
2022	23.81	211^th	249	15.3%
2023	16.84	238^th	253	5.9%
2024	17.01	232^nd	248	6.5%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina Middle Schools for African American 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.

Data source: South Carolina State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Lee Central Middle

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Year	White	African American	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2010	22	433	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	463
2011	17	463	5	0	0	0	0	485
2012	31	565	11	0	0	2	0	609
2013	39	574	12	0	0	2	0	627
2014	46	557	14	0	0	3	0	620
2015	24	439	8	0	0	1	0	472
2016	23	406	11	0	0	1	0	441
2017	16	408	10	1	0	1	1	437
2018	19	402	9	1	0	2	1	434
2019	27	399	5	0	0	1	1	433
2020	24	352	8	1	0	2	1	388
2021	20	336	8	1	0	3	2	370
2022	19	308	10	1	0	5	0	343
2023	32	309	11	1	0	5	0	358

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 Lee Central Middle

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	463	24.0	19.2	92
2011	485	28.0	17.3	91.8
2012	609	28.0	21.7	90.3
2013	627	34.0	18.4	84.5
2014	620	30.0	20.6	88.2
2015	472	35.0	13.4	100
2016	441	32.0	13.7	99.3
2017	437	30.0	14.5	100
2018	434	30.5	14.2	100
2019	433	28.0	15.4	100
2020	388	20.0	19.4	100
2021	370	12.0	30.8	100
2022	343	22.0	15.5	100
2023	358	23.0	15.5	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 Lee Central Middle

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	463	24.0	19.2	92
2011	485	28.0	17.3	91.8
2012	609	28.0	21.7	90.3
2013	627	34.0	18.4	84.5
2014	620	30.0	20.6	88.2
2015	472	35.0	13.4	100
2016	441	32.0	13.7	99.3
2017	437	30.0	14.5	100
2018	434	30.5	14.2	100
2019	433	28.0	15.4	100
2020	388	20.0	19.4	100
2021	370	12.0	30.8	100
2022	343	22.0	15.5	100
2023	358	23.0	15.5	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 Lee Central Middle

Year	Personnel Expenditures from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Expenditures from Federal Funds	Total Expenditures from Federal Funds	Personnel Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$3,368 (26.2%)	$1,067 (8.3%)	$4,434 (34.4%)	$6,635 (51.5%)	$1,804 (14.0%)	$8,439 (65.6%)	$12,873
2020	$3,403 (27.8%)	$1,393 (11.4%)	$4,796 (39.2%)	$5,711 (46.7%)	$1,723 (14.1%)	$7,435 (60.8%)	$12,231
2022	$997 (9.0%)	$844 (7.6%)	$1,841 (16.6%)	$6,525 (58.9%)	$2,704 (24.4%)	$9,229 (83.4%)	$11,070
2023	$1,267 (7.9%)	$660 (4.1%)	$1,927 (12.0%)	$11,229 (69.8%)	$2,920 (18.2%)	$14,149 (88.0%)	$16,076

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lee Central 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 303^rd of 315 Middle schools	Ranks 314^th of 325 Middle schools	0.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade Science (Lee Central Middle)	20.8	14.9	5.9%
6th Grade Science (Lee 01)	20.8	14.9	5.9%
6th Grade Science (South Carolina)	47.1	43	4.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lee Central Middle)	18.1	15.1	3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lee 01)	18.1	15.1	3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)	41.1	53.4	12.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lee Central Middle)	16.1	9.4	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lee 01)	16.1	9.4	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)	43.9	36.7	7.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lee Central Middle)	22	27.4	5.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lee 01)	22	27.4	5.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)	44	50.1	6.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lee Central Middle)	9.8	5	4.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lee 01)	9.8	5	4.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)	35.3	31	4.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lee Central Middle)	13.4	26.6	13.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lee 01)	13.4	26.6	13.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)	44.5	53.1	8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lee Central Middle)	8.6	7.2	1.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lee 01)	8.6	7.2	1.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)	36.6	31.6	5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	433	358	17.3%
African American	399	309	22.6%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	5	11	120%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	27	32	18.5%
Two or More Races	1	5	400%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Lee Central Middle

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				SC READY English Language Arts (2024)			SC READY Mathematics (2024)			EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 6th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 7th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 8th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 6th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 7th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 8th Grade	EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Lee Central Middle	Public	6-8	41 Charlene Lane	Bishopville	29010	Lee County	Lee 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 428-2100	358	23	15.5	100.0%	32 (8.9%)	309 (86.3%)	11 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.4%)	8.6	317^th of 325 public middle schools	2.5%		8.4	314^th of 325 public middle schools	3.4%	3	27.7	24.5	28.3	7.3	11.7	0.0	23.8	$16,076	$1,267	$660	$1,927	$11,229	$2,920	$14,149
Spaulding Middle	Public	6-8	400 East Cartersville Highway	Lamar	29069	Darlington County	Darlington 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 326-7625	204	20	10.2	100.0%	67 (32.8%)	112 (54.9%)	7 (3.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (8.3%)	52.7	138^th of 325 public middle schools	57.5%		41.4	182^nd of 325 public middle schools	44.0%	44	57.8	58.0	38.6	40.7	29.0	26.7	100.0	$16,829	$1,890	$1,499	$3,388	$11,375	$2,066	$13,441
Hartsville Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	1427 Fourteenth Street	Hartsville	29550	Darlington County	Darlington 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 857-3121	921	71	12.9	100.0%	379 (41.2%)	375 (40.7%)	50 (5.4%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	112 (12.2%)	27.2	238^th of 325 public middle schools	26.8%		36.2	204^th of 325 public middle schools	37.2%	34	32.3	36.8	40.6	25.5	18.4	21.9	100.0	$13,668	$1,270	$1,227	$2,497	$9,865	$1,307	$11,171
Ebenezer Middle	Public	6-8	3440 Ebenezer Road	Sumter	29153	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 469-8571	371	22	16.8	100.0%	44 (11.9%)	297 (80.1%)	14 (3.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	14 (3.8%)	14.3	288^th of 325 public middle schools	11.4%		16.3	274^th of 325 public middle schools	15.7%	14	37.0	23.7	32.8	17.7	7.3	9.6		$10,473	$925	$756	$1,681	$7,543	$1,250	$8,793
Chestnut Oaks Middle	Public	6-8	1200 Oswego Road	Sumter	29153	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 775-7272	396	20	19.8	100.0%	17 (4.3%)	333 (84.1%)	34 (8.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (2.5%)	6.6	323^rd of 325 public middle schools	0.6%		6.4	320^th of 325 public middle schools	1.5%	3	25.9	24.7	25.0	7.7	1.0	2.9	75.0	$10,421	$1,350	$939	$2,289	$6,684	$1,448	$8,132
Hillcrest Middle	Public	6-8	4355 Peach Orchard Road	Dalzell	29040	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 499-3341	364	19	19.1	100.0%	132 (36.3%)	190 (52.2%)	22 (6.0%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.7%)	28.7	233^rd of 325 public middle schools	28.3%		33.2	216^th of 325 public middle schools	33.5%	17	43.7	38.8	35.1	25.4	23.1	17.1	100.0	$12,837	$1,419	$899	$2,317	$9,003	$1,517	$10,519
Darlington Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	150 Pinedale Drive	Darlington	29532	Darlington County	Darlington 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 398-5088	919	66	13.9	100.0%	223 (24.3%)	548 (59.6%)	49 (5.3%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	97 (10.6%)	35.4	204^th of 325 public middle schools	37.2%		37.8	199^th of 325 public middle schools	38.8%	5	51.0	33.8	39.6	26.9	23.2	27.8	100.0	$14,059	$1,907	$1,647	$3,554	$9,230	$1,275	$10,505
Alice Drive Middle	Public	6-8	40 Miller Road	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 775-0821	841	48	17.5	100.0%	285 (33.9%)	446 (53.0%)	49 (5.8%)	31 (3.7%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	26 (3.1%)	38.4	190^th of 325 public middle schools	41.5%		43	178^th of 325 public middle schools	45.2%	12	44.3	47.4	40.0	29.3	27.8	22.4	100.0	$9,226	$715	$633	$1,348	$7,074	$804	$7,878

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Central Middle

What is the racial makeup of Lee Central Middle?

Students at Lee Central Middle are 86% African American, 9% White, 3% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

Is Lee Central Middle a good school?

Lee Central Middle ranks in the bottom 2.5% of South Carolina middle schools.

What high school do graduates of Lee Central Middle attend?

Students who attend Lee Central Middle usually go on to attend Lee Central High

How many students attend Lee Central Middle?

In the 2022-23 school year, 358 students attended Lee Central Middle.

What district is Lee Central Middle in?

Lee 01

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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.