Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.5%
Math vs. State Avg-29.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,311

Avery Middle — Students at Avery Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.5%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
28.3%
ELA
36.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in NC
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Avery County Schools
District Enrollment
1,856
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,513
District Rank
#8 of 8

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.