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Very Good

#677 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 26% in state

Bowman Middle

Middle School · Mitchell County Schools

PO Box 46, Bakersville, NC 28705

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersville

#2 of 3

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#60 of 475

In district

#3 of 7

Mitchell County Schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Bowman Middle

Bowman Middle, a regular public school in Bakersville, North Carolina, serves students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 189 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, Bowman Middle provides a relatively small classroom environment conducive to individualized attention. The school has 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the academic and social development of its middle schoolers.

Bowman Middle's MySchoolScout rating is 4.7 out of 10, placing it in the 34th percentile among North Carolina schools, with a state ranking of #1743 out of 2661 schools. The academic score of 2.9/10 suggests there is room for improvement in test performance; however, the school continues to focus on student development and growth beyond standardized tests. In ELA/reading, 45% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 28% demonstrate proficiency.

Located in a rural setting within Mitchell County, Bowman Middle benefits from close-knit community ties and offers opportunities for students to engage with nature and local culture. The school's location provides a unique backdrop where learning extends beyond the classroom walls into the surrounding countryside.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 189 students, Bowman Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Bowman 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 Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,939

Bowman Middle — Students at Bowman Middle score 40% 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

98.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
46%

* 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 Bowman Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
75th percentile in NC
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO Box 46, Bakersville, NC 28705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bowman Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Harris Middle (rated 7.1/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), with a comparable rating. Additionally, East Yancey Middle (rated 5.5/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Burnsville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bakersville, see our Bakersville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Gouge Elementary Bakersville 0.3 mi 8.9
Mitchell High Bakersville 3.5 mi 5.2
Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine 7.9 mi 3.9
Micaville Elementary Micaville 8.0 mi 3.1
Harris Middle Spruce Pine 8.0 mi 7.1
SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine 8.1 mi 5.7
TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine 8.3 mi 5.4
Riverside Elementary Newland 7.7 mi 5.8
Burnsville Elementary Burnsville 8.7 mi 6.4
East Yancey Middle Burnsville 8.9 mi 5.5
GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville 9.1 mi
Mayland Early College Spruce Pine 9.4 mi 5.9
Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine 10.4 mi 8.0
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine 9.7 mi 6.9
South Toe Elementary Burnsville 11.9 mi 6.0
ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville 13.2 mi
YANCEY COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burnsville 12.1 mi 3.0
Cloudland High School Roan Mountain 13.7 mi 4.4
Mountain Heritage High Burnsville 12.2 mi 5.1
Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain 13.8 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,350

Median Home Value

$202,200

Median Rent

$855/mo

Population

6,733

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

80.1%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

49.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bowman Middle has a median household income of $54,350. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,200, with a median rent of $855/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. 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
FUSION CHARLOTTE Charlotte, NC 7.6
Franklinton Middle Franklinton, NC 7.6
Beaufort Middle Beaufort, NC 7.5
Elise Middle Robbins, NC 7.7
Harris Middle Spruce Pine, NC 7.1
Pamlico County Middle Bayboro, NC 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bowman Middle

What grades does Bowman Middle serve?

Bowman Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Bowman Middle?

Bowman Middle has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowman Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Bowman Middle is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bowman Middle rank in NC?

Bowman Middle is ranked #677 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bowman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowman Middle has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Bowman Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowman Middle has 27.5% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bowman Middle a charter school?

No, Bowman Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bowman Middle a Title I school?

No, Bowman Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowman Middle?

98.4% of students at Bowman 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mitchell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mitchell County Schools
District Enrollment
1,705
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,405
District Rank
#3 of 7

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

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