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Average

#700 of 1,284 schools in KY

Northern Middle School

Middle School · Pulaski County

650 Oak Leaf Lane, Somerset, KY 42503

Enrollment

797

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Somerset

#9 of 14

public schools

Kentucky middle schools

#95 of 216

In district

#8 of 14

Pulaski County

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Northern Middle School

Northern Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Somerset, Kentucky, a remote town in Pulaski County. The school educates 797 students with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1. Academically, Northern Middle ranks #523 out of 1,288 Kentucky schools, placing it at the 60th percentile statewide.

The school's academic score of 8.1/10 reflects mixed results across subjects. In English language arts and reading, 61% of students perform at proficient or above, showing relative strength in literacy. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 45% of students meeting proficiency standards.

This gap between ELA and math performance suggests the school may benefit from targeted support in mathematics instruction. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.8/10, Northern Middle offers a traditional public school environment where educators work with the middle school population during a pivotal developmental stage. The school's location in a remote Kentucky town shapes its character and community context, serving families in this distinctive setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,722

Northern Middle School — Students at Northern Middle School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
56%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
58%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Northern Middle School Compares

See how Northern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in KY
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

650 Oak Leaf Lane, Somerset, KY 42503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meece Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Southern Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Somerset, see our Somerset schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pulaski County High School Somerset 0.6 mi 7.0
Pulaski Elementary School Somerset 0.9 mi 8.1
Meece Middle School Somerset 1.2 mi 6.1
Hopkins Elementary School Somerset 1.3 mi 8.3
Somerset High School Somerset 1.4 mi 7.1
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RESTON Somerset 1.4 mi
Memorial Education Center Somerset 2.2 mi 5.1
Eagle Academy Somerset 2.3 mi 5.2
SOMERSET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Somerset 4.3 mi 7.3
Science Hill Elementary School Science Hill 4.5 mi 7.4
SALINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Somerset 3.9 mi 3.5
Southwestern High School Somerset 4.7 mi 8.1
Northern Elementary School Somerset 4.9 mi 8.0
Oak Hill Elementary School Somerset 4.8 mi 7.9
Southern Elementary School Somerset 5.5 mi 5.9
Southern Middle School Somerset 5.7 mi 5.6
Burnside Elementary School Burnside 8.4 mi 7.3
Shopville Elementary School Somerset 7.1 mi 7.2
Nancy Elementary School Nancy 8.9 mi 5.8
Eubank Elementary School Eubank 11.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 42503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,377

Median Home Value

$198,500

Median Rent

$873/mo

Population

25,638

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

68.7%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northern Middle School has a median household income of $53,377. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,500, with a median rent of $873/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bondurant Middle School Frankfort, KY 6.1
Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North Louisville, KY 6.1
Garrard Middle School Lancaster, KY 6.1
Grant County Middle School Dry Ridge, KY 6.1
Mayfield Middle School Mayfield, KY 6.1
McNabb Middle School Mt. Sterling, KY 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Middle School

What grades does Northern Middle School serve?

Northern Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Northern Middle School?

Northern Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 797 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Middle School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Middle School rank in KY?

Northern Middle School is ranked #700 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Northern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Northern Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Middle School has 45.3% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northern Middle School a charter school?

No, Northern Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northern Middle School a Title I school?

No, Northern Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Middle School?

64.6% of students at Northern Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,350/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Somerset). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
797
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Pulaski County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pulaski County
District Enrollment
7,840
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,724
District Rank
#8 of 14

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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