Below Average
#2431 of 2,648 schools in NC
Avery Middle
Middle School · Avery County Schools
102 Old Montezuma Road, Newland, NC 28657
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newland
#4 of 4
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#439 of 475
In district
#8 of 8
Avery County Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Avery Middle
Avery Middle, located in Newland, North Carolina, serves students in grades six through eight. With a total enrollment of 208 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to its middle-grade learners. Avery Middle is situated in a rural area where community ties are strong and relationships between families and educators tend to be close-knit.
While Avery Middle's MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 indicates room for improvement in academic performance, the school continues to focus on student development with resources that support individual needs. On state assessments, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 36% are proficient or above in Math, showing areas where additional academic support is being emphasized. The setting around Avery Middle provides a peaceful backdrop for learning, allowing students to engage in both classroom studies and outdoor activities.
The school’s rural location offers unique opportunities for community involvement and hands-on experiences that complement its educational goals.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Avery Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Avery 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
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Avery Middle — Students at Avery Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.2/10.
How Avery Middle Compares
See how Avery Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 27.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 36.5% (2025).
Location
102 Old Montezuma Road, Newland, NC 28657
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Avery Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Harris Middle (rated 7.1/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cranberry Middle (rated 6.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newland, see our Newland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Avery County High Newland | 0.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Newland Elementary Newland | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Crossnore Elementary Crossnore | 2.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore | 3.0 mi | 7.7 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 5.5 mi | — |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 6.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 6.5 mi | 9.8 |
| Riverside Elementary Newland | 7.9 mi | 5.8 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 10.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine | 10.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain | 11.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Cloudland High School Roan Mountain | 12.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 12.5 mi | 8.6 |
| SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 13.4 mi | 5.7 |
| TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 13.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville | 13.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 14.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 14.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine | 14.5 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28657 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,371
Median Home Value
$223,600
Median Rent
$748/mo
Population
8,098
College Educated
24.8%
Homeownership
81.7%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
51.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Avery Middle has a median household income of $56,371. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| J W Parker Middle Rocky Mount, NC | 4.0 |
| West Edgecombe Middle Rocky Mount, NC | 4.2 |
| South Creek Middle Robersonville, NC | 3.9 |
| Robbinsville Middle Robbinsville, NC | 4.3 |
| William R Davie Middle S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC | 4.4 |
| Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro, NC | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Avery Middle
What grades does Avery Middle serve?
Avery Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Avery Middle?
Avery Middle has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Avery Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Avery Middle is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Avery Middle rank in NC?
Avery Middle is ranked #2431 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Avery Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Avery Middle has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Avery Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Avery Middle has 35.5% math proficiency and 41.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Avery Middle a charter school?
No, Avery Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Avery Middle a Title I school?
No, Avery Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Avery Middle?
98.6% of students at Avery 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,111/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 208
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Avery County
- Phone
- (828) 733-0145
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Avery County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,856
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,513
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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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