Hand Middle, Columbia SC - Test Scores & Data

Original Research by School Decision on Hand Middle

Hand Middle, a regular public school serving grades six through eight in Columbia, South Carolina, is part of the Richland 01 school district. The school is located in the state capital, a city defined by its blend of state government, the University of South Carolina’s flagship campus, and Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army’s largest basic training installation. This context gives Columbia a varied texture, with a student population that reflects a mix of families tied to these institutions and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

On state assessments, Hand Middle’s results present a clear picture, with English language arts standing out as a relative strength. Across all three grades, roughly over half of students met the proficiency standard. In mathematics, the picture is weaker, with about a third of students reaching the same benchmark. Science proficiency also fell roughly within a similar range. When compared to other school districts in Richland County, Hand Middle’s overall performance across subjects places it in the bottom quartile.

The student body is diverse. Enrollment approaches a size that is substantial for a middle school, and the grade-level counts suggest typical cohorts. The student population is majority Black, with a substantial White population, and a notable Hispanic presence. The data shows that every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a metric that often signals a high level of economic need across the school community. A parent may want to ask the school directly about the shares of students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or are English learners, as this information was not available in the data reviewed.

The school serves grades six through eight, so there is no high school graduation rate to report. Similarly, data on chronic absenteeism and discipline were not available for this report. Because no program offerings were provided, the narrative cannot speak to specific electives, extracurriculars, or specialized academic tracks at the school.

Housing in the area reflects a broader pattern. Home values are above the national median, but rents are relatively more affordable, making renting a more accessible option compared to buying with a typical mortgage. The national unemployment rate and median household income context suggest a stable but not booming economic backdrop.

A search for recent changes in the Richland 01 district turned up little of lasting impact to report. The school’s setting in Columbia places it within a capital city that has grown steadily, driven by the university, state government, and the military base. The downtown core and campus are closely intertwined, while the school itself sits in a residential area. For a family considering Hand Middle, the key takeaway is a school where reading and writing instruction shows solid results, but math and science proficiency are areas where a parent would want to understand the school’s approach and support systems more deeply.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 631%

School 31% · District 27% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▼ 3 pts below state median · ▲ 10 pts above county median

Grade 731%

School 31% · District 23% · ▲ 8 pts above district

▲ 3 pts above state median · ▲ 8 pts above county median

Grade 836%

School 36% · District 23% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▲ 10 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 657%

School 57% · District 47% · ▲ 10 pts above district

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Grade 757%

School 57% · District 47% · ▲ 9 pts above district

▲ 1 pts above state median · ▲ 10 pts above county median

Grade 856%

School 56% · District 45% · ▲ 11 pts above district

▲ 3 pts above state median · ▲ 13 pts above county median

Science

Grade 638%

School 38% · District 35% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▲ 3 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 762%

School 62% · District 55% · ▲ 6 pts above district

▼ 3 pts below state median · even with county median

This schoolRichland 01, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income44%Higher-income82%38 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income46%Higher-income79%33 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income42%Higher-income81%38 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income14%Higher-income63%50 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income17%Higher-income59%42 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income21%Higher-income64%43 pp gap