The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Social studies. The lowest is 5% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Chestnut Oaks Middle
Chestnut Oaks Middle is a regular public middle school in Sumter, South Carolina, serving grades six through eight as part of the Sumter 01 district. It sits within a mid-sized city that functions as a regional hub for east-central South Carolina, anchored by Shaw Air Force Base, a regional medical center, and a mix of manufacturing, biotech, aerospace, and education employers. The school itself is a neighborhood-level building with a defined attendance zone; it is not a magnet or charter school.
State test results from the most recent year show that reading and math achievement are areas a parent would likely want to investigate further. In math, across all three grades, the share of students scoring proficient or above was very low. In English language arts, proficiency was higher but still well below a majority: about a quarter of sixth graders, roughly two-fifths of seventh graders, and about a third of eighth graders met the bar. Science results for sixth graders were also low. These numbers come from South Carolina’s state assessment, and it is worth noting that the state changed cut scores in recent years, which can make direct comparisons to earlier years uncertain. No multi-year trend data is available beyond a single year, so it is not possible to tell from this evidence alone whether performance is improving or declining. The school’s social studies results from a few years ago showed about half of students proficient, but those results are older and from a different assessment format.
The student body is almost entirely composed of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of very high economic need. Racially and ethnically, the large majority of students are Black, with small shares of Hispanic students, white students, and students identifying as two or more races. The school serves a population of a size typical for a middle school in a city of this scale. Information on special education and English learner enrollment was not available in the data provided.
Sumter itself is a working city with a recognizable downtown, more than thirty parks, and Swan Lake Iris Gardens as a signature civic space. Housing values in the area are below state and national averages, making it a more affordable market relative to much of South Carolina. The school district did not appear to have any major recent changes publicly reported that would affect a family’s decision.
For a parent considering Chestnut Oaks Middle, the central takeaway is that academic proficiency rates are far below what many families would hope for, especially in math. The school serves a community with concentrated poverty, which often correlates with additional challenges and needs. A parent may want to ask the school directly about supports in place for struggling students, intervention programs, or any specialized offerings that might not appear in state test summaries. The school’s regular public status and lack of magnet or charter designation means its curriculum and staffing follow the district’s standard model without extra selective admissions.
See more original research from School Decision →