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Average

#1071 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 40% in state

Central Wilkes Middle School

Middle School · Wilkes County Schools

3541 South NC Hwy 16, Moravian Falls, NC 28654

Enrollment

569

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,071 of 2,648

In Moravian Falls

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#12 of 22

Wilkes County Schools

Equity

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Central Wilkes Middle School

6.9/10

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

Moravian Falls Elementary School

9.0/10

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

Wilkes Central High School

7.0/10

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

About Central Wilkes Middle School

Central Wilkes Middle School is a public middle school in Moravian Falls, NC, part of Wilkes County Schools. Central Wilkes Middle School serves approximately 569 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Wilkes Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,071 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Central Wilkes Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Central Wilkes Middle School 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 Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+3.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,150
Chronic Absenteeism28.5%

Central Wilkes Middle School — Students at Central Wilkes Middle School score 56% 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

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 50.7% (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
84%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
26%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
40.3%
ELA
43.7%
2025
Math
60.5%
ELA
52.7%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Central Wilkes Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
60th percentile in NC
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

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

3541 South NC Hwy 16, Moravian Falls, NC 28654

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Wilkes Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Wilkes Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby North Wilkesboro), which scores slightly higher. Another option is East Alexander Middle (rated 7.2/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Hiddenite), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Wilkes Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Wilkesboro), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Moravian Falls, see our Moravian Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Moravian Falls Elementary School Moravian Falls 0.3 mi 9.0
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro 1.1 mi 7.0
Wilkesboro Elementary School Wilkesboro 2.7 mi 6.5
Wilkes Early College High School Wilkesboro 2.9 mi 8.0
HARVEST TIME CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilkesboro 4.4 mi 5.7
C C Wright Elementary School North Wilkesboro 5.0 mi 5.8
North Wilkesboro Elementary School North Wilkesboro 6.2 mi 6.4
West Wilkes Middle School Wilkesboro 6.3 mi 6.2
MILLERS CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millers Creek 7.2 mi 6.4
Boomer-Ferguson Elementary School Boomer 6.7 mi 5.4
West Wilkes High School Millers Creek 7.8 mi 6.5
Sugar Loaf Elementary Taylorsville 8.6 mi 5.9
Millers Creek Elementary School Millers Creek 8.6 mi 8.4
Mulberry Elementary School North Wilkesboro 9.9 mi 8.5
ECKERD - BOOMER CAMPUS Boomer 8.9 mi 6.4
Mount Pleasant Elementary School Ferguson 9.1 mi 4.6
Mountain View Elementary School Hays 11.2 mi 4.5
North Wilkes Middle School North Wilkesboro 11.7 mi 7.5
East Alexander Middle Hiddenite 11.8 mi 7.2
Taylorsville Elementary Taylorsville 12.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28654 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,486

Median Home Value

$234,400

Median Rent

$941/mo

Population

3,287

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

79.6%

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

50.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Southwestern Randolph Middle School Asheboro, NC 6.9
Tucker Creek Middle Havelock, NC 6.9
Valley Springs Middle Arden, NC 6.9
Waynesville Middle Waynesville, NC 6.9
Western Rockingham Middle Madison, NC 6.9
Belmont Middle Belmont, NC 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Wilkes Middle School

What grades does Central Wilkes Middle School serve?

Central Wilkes Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Central Wilkes Middle School?

Central Wilkes Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Wilkes Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Wilkes Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Wilkes Middle School rank in NC?

Central Wilkes Middle School ranks #1,071 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Wilkes Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Wilkes Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Wilkes Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Wilkes Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Wilkes Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Central Wilkes Middle School a Title I school?

No, Central Wilkes Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Wilkes Middle School?

99.5% of students at Central Wilkes Middle School 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Wilkes County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

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