Average
#1320 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 50% in state
A L Stanback Middle
Middle School · Orange County Schools
3700 NC 86 South, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#9 of 12
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#176 of 475
In district
#10 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About A L Stanback Middle
A L Stanback Middle is a regular public middle school located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, near the rural setting of Orange County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 625 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. With 45 full-time equivalent teachers, A L Stanback Middle aims to provide personalized attention to its students.
The academic performance at the school reflects areas where growth is needed, as indicated by a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1565 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (41st percentile). The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 47%, and the Math proficiency rate is 46%. While these scores suggest room for improvement, A L Stanback Middle continues to focus on developing its students' academic skills.
The school’s setting offers a peaceful rural environment near Hillsborough, providing a unique backdrop for learning.
What's said publicly about A L Stanback Middle
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, A L Stanback Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
A L Stanback Middle — Students at A L Stanback Middle score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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 A L Stanback Middle Compares
See how A L Stanback Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 51.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 49.1% (2025).
Location
3700 NC 86 South, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering A L Stanback Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Smith Middle (rated 7.5/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Chapel Hill), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Orange Middle (rated 7.4/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 0.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 3.6 mi | 8.8 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 3.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 4.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 4.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 4.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 5.6 mi | 6.5 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 5.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 5.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Seawell Elementary Chapel Hill | 6.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 6.0 mi | 9.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,821
Median Home Value
$380,000
Median Rent
$1,294/mo
Population
28,546
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
44.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding A L Stanback Middle has a median household income of $101,821. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $380,000, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill, NC | 6.5 |
| Dunn Middle Dunn, NC | 6.5 |
| Koontz Intermediate Asheville, NC | 6.5 |
| Morehead City Middle Morehead City, NC | 6.5 |
| Neal Middle Durham, NC | 6.5 |
| Northern Guilford Middle Greensboro, NC | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about A L Stanback Middle
What grades does A L Stanback Middle serve?
A L Stanback Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend A L Stanback Middle?
A L Stanback Middle has an enrollment of approximately 625 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at A L Stanback Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at A L Stanback Middle is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does A L Stanback Middle rank in NC?
A L Stanback Middle is ranked #1320 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is A L Stanback Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
A L Stanback Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 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 A L Stanback Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, A L Stanback Middle has 45.9% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is A L Stanback Middle a charter school?
No, A L Stanback Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is A L Stanback Middle a Title I school?
No, A L Stanback Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for A L Stanback Middle?
58.4% of students at A L Stanback Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,904/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hillsborough). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 625
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 644-3200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,067
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,399
- District Rank
- #10 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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