Excellent
#179 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Bethel Middle
Middle School · Haywood County Schools
630 Sonoma Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
Enrollment
249
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
249
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waynesville
#1 of 8
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#8 of 475
In district
#1 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Bethel Middle
Bethel Middle is a public middle school in Waynesville, NC, part of the Haywood County Schools. The school serves approximately 249 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.3th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 68% proficiency in math, 14 points above the state average and 61% in reading/language arts, 8 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $56,047, where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bethel 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
Bethel Middle — Students at Bethel Middle score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Bethel Middle Compares
See how Bethel Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 76.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 63.3% (2025).
Location
630 Sonoma Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bethel Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Canton Middle (rated 7.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Canton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Waynesville Middle (rated 6.4/10, 5.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waynesville, see our Waynesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 4.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Tuscola High Waynesville | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 4.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 6.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 5.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 6.4 mi | — |
| HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville | 6.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 6.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Riverbend Elementary Clyde | 8.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 8.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 9.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Candler Elementary Candler | 11.8 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28786 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,047
Median Home Value
$266,800
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
22,153
College Educated
31.8%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
49.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethel Middle has a median household income of $56,047. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,800, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Piney Grove Middle School Lawsonville, NC | 8.6 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC | 8.6 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville, NC | 8.7 |
| Foothills Community School Marion, NC | 8.2 |
| Reid Ross Classical Middle Fayetteville, NC | 8.2 |
| Pamlico County Middle Bayboro, NC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethel Middle
What grades does Bethel Middle serve?
Bethel Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bethel Middle?
Bethel Middle has an enrollment of approximately 249 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethel Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Middle is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bethel Middle rank in NC?
Bethel Middle is ranked #179 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bethel Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethel Middle has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Bethel Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethel Middle has 68.1% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bethel Middle a charter school?
No, Bethel Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bethel Middle a Title I school?
No, Bethel Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethel Middle?
98.8% of students at Bethel 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waynesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 249
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Haywood County
- Phone
- (828) 646-3442
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Haywood County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #1 of 15
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
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.