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Very Good

#1005 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 38% in state

Central Middle

Middle School · Whiteville City Schools

310 S Martin L King Jr Ave, Whiteville, NC 28472

Enrollment

461

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,005 of 2,648

In Whiteville

#5 of 8

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Whiteville City Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Central Middle

7.0/10

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

North Whiteville Academy

Nearby

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

Whiteville High

5.8/10

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 Whiteville, NC, part of Whiteville City Schools. Central Middle serves approximately 461 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,005 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Central Middle show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above NC schools
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Central Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-1.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,346
Chronic Absenteeism31.2%

Central Middle — Students at Central Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 50.5% (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
87%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
55.3%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
55.4%
ELA
46.6%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Central Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
62th percentile in NC
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

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

310 S Martin L King Jr Ave, Whiteville, NC 28472

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nakina Middle (rated 6.8/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Nakina), with a very similar rating. Another option is Clarkton School of Discovery (rated 5.7/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Clarkton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bladenboro Middle (rated 4.5/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Bladenboro), a more accessible option. For more schools in Whiteville, see our Whiteville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
North Whiteville Academy Whiteville 0.0 mi
Whiteville High Whiteville 0.5 mi 5.8
Whiteville Primary Whiteville 0.9 mi 7.7
Edgewood Elementary Whiteville 0.8 mi 7.2
CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville 2.6 mi
Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville 4.1 mi 7.8
Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville 6.4 mi 3.0
Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn 6.3 mi 7.5
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro 7.6 mi 7.4
Williams Township Whiteville 9.0 mi 5.1
Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton 12.0 mi 5.7
Thomas Academy Lake Waccamaw 10.6 mi 4.2
South Columbus High Tabor City 12.2 mi 4.2
Old Dock Elementary Whiteville 13.0 mi 8.0
East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw 11.9 mi 3.6
West Columbus High Cerro Gordo 12.2 mi 4.1
Bladenboro Primary Bladenboro 14.8 mi 5.6
West Columbus School Cerro Gordo 12.6 mi 5.0
Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro 14.9 mi 4.5
Nakina Middle Nakina 15.5 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28472 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,963

Median Home Value

$141,000

Median Rent

$788/mo

Population

17,833

College Educated

17.9%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

40.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Stanley Middle Stanley, NC 7.0
Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls, NC 6.9
East Cary Middle Cary, NC 7.1
Grover C Fields Middle New Bern, NC 7.1
Lucas Middle Durham, NC 7.1
New Century Middle Cameron, NC 7.1

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 461 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle is 14:1. 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 #1,005 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% 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?

98.3% 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Columbus County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

District

Whiteville City Schools
District Enrollment
2,051
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,346
District Rank
#3 of 4

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