Average
#1519 of 2,648 schools in NC
Central Middle
Middle School · Surry County Schools
PO Box 768, Dobson, NC 27017
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dobson
#5 of 7
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#224 of 475
In district
#14 of 20
Surry County Schools
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Central Middle
Central Middle is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Dobson, North Carolina. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and currently enrolls 484 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, ensuring that each student receives plenty of individual attention. Central Middle has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and personal growth of its students.
According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, Central Middle holds a rating of 4.9 out of 10, placing it at #1654 among 2661 schools in North Carolina. The school's academic score is 4.8/10, with 48% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 51% proficient or above in math. While these numbers indicate room for improvement in certain areas, the dedicated faculty works tirelessly to ensure that each student receives the support they need.
Central Middle is situated in a quiet rural setting, offering a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Central 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
Central Middle — Students at Central Middle score 50% 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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.0/10.
How Central Middle Compares
See how Central Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 53.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 47.1% (2025).
Location
PO Box 768, Dobson, NC 27017
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meadowview Magnet Middle (rated 7.1/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), which scores slightly higher. Another option is J Sam Gentry Middle (rated 6.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mount Airy Middle (rated 6.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dobson, see our Dobson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Surry Online Magnet School Dobson | 0.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Dobson Elementary Dobson | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Surry Early College Dobson | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Surry Central High Dobson | 1.5 mi | 3.6 |
| SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Rockford Elementary Dobson | 2.8 mi | 7.7 |
| White Plains Elementary Mount Airy | 5.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Copeland Elementary Dobson | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy | 7.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Mountain Park Elementary State Road | 6.7 mi | 8.6 |
| WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy | 7.2 mi | 6.3 |
| North Surry High Mount Airy | 8.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
| J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy | 8.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Franklin Elementary Mount Airy | 8.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy | 9.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy | 10.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Boonville Elementary Boonville | 11.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy | 10.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy | 11.3 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,087
Median Home Value
$138,800
Median Rent
$676/mo
Population
9,594
College Educated
15.8%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Middle has a median household income of $57,087. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,800, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Chatham Middle Siler City, NC | 6.2 |
| Chowan Middle Tyner, NC | 6.2 |
| Enka Intermediate Candler, NC | 6.2 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville, NC | 6.2 |
| River Road Middle Elizabeth City, NC | 6.2 |
| South Asheboro Middle Asheboro, NC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Middle
What grades does Central Middle serve?
Central Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Middle?
Central Middle has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Middle rank in NC?
Central Middle is ranked #1519 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Central Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Middle has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Central Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Middle has 51.2% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Middle a charter school?
No, Central Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Middle a Title I school?
No, Central Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Middle?
99.4% of students at Central 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (718/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 484
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Surry County
- Phone
- (336) 386-4018
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Surry County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,352
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,301
- District Rank
- #14 of 20
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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