School District Five Named Top School District in the Midlands

IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five has been recognized as the number one school district in the Midlands in the 2025 Best Schools in America rankings by Niche.com.

The rankings, which evaluate over 10,000 public school districts nationwide, are based on a combination of statistics and feedback from millions of students and parents. School District Five earned an overall “A” rating, which reflects excellence in key areas including academics, teachers, extracurricular activities, diversity, college preparation, and administration.

In addition to being the top district in the Midlands, School District Five was ranked as the second-best school district in South Carolina. The district also earned the top spot in Best Places to Teach in South Carolina and was ranked fourth for having the Best Teachers in the state.

Superintendent Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. expressed his pride in the achievement, stating, “It is an incredible honor for School District Five to be named the top school district in the Midlands. The ‘A’ ratings across all 10 evaluated categories reflect our outstanding performance in academic achievements, student support, extracurricular programs, and the exceptional work of our teachers and administration. I am proud of the students, staff, teachers, administrators, and families who remain committed to our vision to Love and Grow Our Students.”

For more details on School District Five’s profile and to explore the full rankings, visit Niche.com.