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Average

#1792 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

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,792 of 2,648

In Newland

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Avery County Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Avery Middle

5.4/10

Middle School in Newland · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Avery County High

7.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Newland Elementary

5.5/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Avery Middle

Avery Middle is a public middle school in Newland, NC, part of Avery County Schools. Avery Middle serves approximately 208 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Avery Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,792 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Avery Middle show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Avery Middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Avery Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-29.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,513
Chronic Absenteeism25%

Avery Middle — Students at Avery Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 50.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
35.9%
ELA
42.2%
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: 4.6/10.

How Avery Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
32th percentile in NC
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Cranberry Middle (rated 8.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harris Middle (rated 6.4/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores slightly 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 7.2
Newland Elementary Newland 1.1 mi 5.5
Crossnore Elementary Crossnore 2.9 mi 6.6
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 8.3
Cranberry Middle Elk Park 6.1 mi 8.5
Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk 6.5 mi 9.4
Riverside Elementary Newland 7.9 mi 4.2
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine 10.5 mi 7.0
Mayland Early College Spruce Pine 10.8 mi 7.8
Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain 11.6 mi 7.8
Cloudland High School Roan Mountain 12.0 mi 6.2
Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove 12.5 mi 6.6
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 5.7
Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine 14.8 mi 8.0
Harris Middle Spruce Pine 14.4 mi 6.4
Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine 14.5 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Yancey Middle Burnsville, NC 5.3
Cane River Middle Burnsville, NC 5.6
South Creek Middle Robersonville, NC 5.6
Speight Middle Stantonsburg, NC 5.6
Elise Middle Robbins, NC 5.2
Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton, NC 5.7

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 ranks #1,792 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Avery Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Avery Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Avery Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Avery Middle has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.0%

District

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

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