Very Good
#547 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
Canton Middle
Middle School · Haywood County Schools
60 Penland St, Canton, NC 28716
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Canton
#2 of 5
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#35 of 475
In district
#5 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Canton Middle
Canton Middle, located in Canton, North Carolina, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With a total enrollment of 493 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The middle school is part of Haywood County's public education system and has 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its academic programs.
Canton Middle holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks 60th percentile among North Carolina schools, with an academic score of 6.0/10. In terms of standardized test performance, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 54% meet proficiency standards in math. The school focuses on continuous improvement and supports student development across various subjects.
Situated at 60 Penland Street, Canton Middle is located in a town that lies on the edge of an urban area, offering easy access to resources while maintaining a close-knit community feel.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Canton Middle — Students at Canton Middle score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 8.5/10.
How Canton Middle Compares
See how Canton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 63.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 49.2% (2025).
Location
60 Penland St, Canton, NC 28716
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Canton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bethel Middle (rated 8.6/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Waynesville Middle (rated 6.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Canton, see our Canton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pisgah High Canton | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville | 4.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 4.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Tuscola High Waynesville | 6.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 6.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Riverbend Elementary Clyde | 7.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 6.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Candler Elementary Candler | 8.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 8.1 mi | 6.3 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 8.3 mi | — |
| HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville | 8.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 8.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 9.2 mi | 6.4 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 9.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Enka High Candler | 9.9 mi | 4.8 |
| MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler | 10.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28716 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,008
Median Home Value
$223,600
Median Rent
$961/mo
Population
16,216
College Educated
23.9%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Canton Middle has a median household income of $60,008. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $961/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point, NC | 7.8 |
| Currituck County Middle Barco, NC | 7.8 |
| Elizabeth City Middle Elizabeth City, NC | 7.8 |
| Elm City Middle Elm City, NC | 7.8 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks, NC | 7.8 |
| Madison Middle School Marshall, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Canton Middle
What grades does Canton Middle serve?
Canton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Canton Middle?
Canton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Canton Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Canton Middle is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Canton Middle rank in NC?
Canton Middle is ranked #547 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Canton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Canton Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Canton Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Canton Middle has 53.9% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Canton Middle a charter school?
No, Canton Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Canton Middle a Title I school?
No, Canton Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Canton Middle?
99.4% of students at Canton 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 (Canton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 493
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Haywood County
- Phone
- (828) 646-3467
- 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
- #5 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
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