The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Social studies. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hemingway Mb Lee Middle
Hemingway MB Lee Middle is a regular public school serving grades six through eight in the rural town of Hemingway, part of the Williamsburg 01 district. The student body is small, and the vast majority of families qualify for economic assistance, a marker of the community’s overall income level. The school’s enrollment is predominantly Black, with a small share of white students and even smaller numbers of Hispanic and multiracial students. No data was available on students with disabilities or English learners.
On state assessments, the school’s results vary noticeably by subject. In English language arts, roughly a third to nearly half of students scored at the proficient level across the three grade levels, with seventh grade showing the highest share. In math, the pattern was markedly lower, with about one in ten to one in five students reaching proficiency depending on grade. Science results for sixth graders, the only grade tested, showed about a third proficient. One social studies data point from a much earlier year is present but too old to reflect current conditions. Because only a single year of comparable test data was available, no trend can be described. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports math achievement in particular.
The school’s setting shapes the experience. Hemingway is a very small, entirely rural town that has seen population decline in recent years. The local economy, once anchored by a Tupperware factory that closed in 2024, is now a mix of light manufacturing, agriculture, and some commuting to larger towns. Housing costs are low by both state and national standards, making the area affordable for families who work locally or remotely. The town has a compact downtown core with a town hall, a branch library, and an annual festival, but pedestrian infrastructure is limited. Students likely live within a short drive of the school, and the district runs a bus service for workers commuting to Myrtle Beach, which may also serve families.
The district itself has recently restructured two elementary schools into themed academies, one focused on STEAM and the other on leadership. That shift could affect the pipeline of students entering Hemingway MB Lee Middle in future years. Separately, the district’s high school graduation rate has declined over a multiyear period, a trajectory worth noting even though this middle school does not directly produce that metric.
No information was provided on the school’s course offerings, extracurricular programs, discipline rates, or staffing ratios. The state did not report participation rates for the assessments, so it is unclear whether all enrolled students were tested. Without program data, it is not possible to describe what electives, arts, or support services are available. Families interested in those details would need to contact the school directly.
Hemingway MB Lee Middle serves a small, economically disadvantaged student body in a rural community facing population and economic headwinds. Its math scores are an area of concern, while its English scores are higher. The school operates in a district that has made recent structural changes to elementary schools and that has experienced a downward trend in high school graduation rates. For a family considering this school, the immediate context is a very affordable, tight-knit town with limited conveniences and a local economy in transition. The missing pieces, particularly around programs and student support, mean that a visit and a conversation with staff would be essential to fill the gaps left by the available data.
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