At a glance
Reported students
477
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
37.4
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
12.8:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
South Carolina middle enrollment
35th percentile
Compared with 248 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
512
A. R. Rucker Middle: 477 reported students.
State peer staffing position
33rd percentile
12.8:1 reported; state peer median 13.8:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 545
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.7:1
What the reported data says about A. R. Rucker Middle
A. R. Rucker Middle is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Lancaster. It is one of 23 current school records connected to Lancaster 01. NCES reports 477 students for 2024–25.
Among 248 middle schools in South Carolina with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 624 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 35th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 12.8:1, close to the South Carolina median of 13.8:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (50.3%) and White (26.2%). English learners represent 8.1% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.7%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking A. R. Rucker Middle
- 1How do the reported 12.8:1 student–teacher ratio and 37.4 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 8.1%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.5
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White26.2%
- Hispanic16.4%
- Black50.3%
- Asian0.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial6.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Lancaster 01
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Andrew Jackson Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
480 reported students
South Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
439 reported students
Buford Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
374 reported students
Indian Land Middle
Middle · Grades 07–08
1,102 reported students
Indian Land Intermediate
Middle · Grades 05–06
1,181 reported students
Kershaw Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
512 reported students
Public schools near A. R. Rucker Middle
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Elementary Elementary · Lancaster 01 | PK–05 | 412 | 1.7 mi |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Elementary · Charter · Lancaster 01 | KG–05 | 146 | 2 mi |
| Lancaster High High · Lancaster 01 | 09–12 | 1,390 | 2.4 mi |
| Lancaster County School District Career Center High · Lancaster 01 | 09–12 | 0 | 2.5 mi |
| South Middle Middle · Lancaster 01 | 06–08 | 439 | 2.7 mi |
| Buford Middle Middle · Lancaster 01 | 06–08 | 374 | 6.8 mi |
Frequently asked questions about A. R. Rucker Middle
What grades does A. R. Rucker Middle serve?
A. R. Rucker Middle reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Lancaster 01.
How many students attend A. R. Rucker Middle?
A. R. Rucker Middle reported 477 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 35th percentile among 248 South Carolina middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 545 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at A. R. Rucker Middle?
The calculated ratio is 12.8:1, based on 477 students and 37.4 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The South Carolina median for the same school level is 13.8:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is A. R. Rucker Middle a public, charter, or magnet school?
A. R. Rucker Middle is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Lancaster 01 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is A. R. Rucker Middle in?
A. R. Rucker Middle is part of Lancaster 01, based in Lancaster, SC, which operates 23 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near A. R. Rucker Middle?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Clinton Elementary (1.7 mi), Discovery Charter of Lancaster (2 mi), Lancaster High (2.4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.