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Average

#1574 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

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,574 of 2,648

In Dobson

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#15 of 20

Surry County Schools

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Central Middle

5.9/10

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

Surry Online Magnet School

6.1/10

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

Dobson Elementary

7.8/10

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

About Central Middle

Central Middle is a public middle school in Dobson, NC, part of Surry County Schools. Central Middle serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,574 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Central Middle show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Central 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 Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,301
Chronic Absenteeism22.9%

Central Middle — Students at Central Middle score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.1% (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
92%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
45.3%
2025
Math
53.6%
ELA
47%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Central Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

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

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 6.7/10, 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 6.6/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.1
Dobson Elementary Dobson 0.5 mi 7.8
Surry Early College Dobson 1.3 mi 8.1
Surry Central High Dobson 1.5 mi 5.6
SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson 2.2 mi 4.9
Rockford Elementary Dobson 2.8 mi 7.5
White Plains Elementary Mount Airy 5.3 mi 7.5
Copeland Elementary Dobson 6.2 mi 7.5
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy 7.4 mi 6.7
Mountain Park Elementary State Road 6.7 mi 8.7
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 7.2 mi 6.3
North Surry High Mount Airy 8.3 mi 5.1
Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap 8.6 mi 5.6
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy 8.4 mi 6.6
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 8.7 mi 6.9
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 9.9 mi 6.8
Mount Airy High Mount Airy 10.4 mi 6.9
Boonville Elementary Boonville 11.5 mi 4.9
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 10.6 mi 6.6
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 11.3 mi 4.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough, NC 5.9
Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point, NC 5.9
Elizabeth City Middle Elizabeth City, NC 5.9
Forbush Middle East Bend, NC 5.9
Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls, NC 6.0
Lexington Middle School Lexington, NC 6.0

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 ranks #1,574 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Central Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Middle has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

District

Surry County Schools
District Enrollment
7,352
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,301
District Rank
#15 of 20

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