Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2447 of 2,648 schools in NC

Charles H Darden Middle

Middle School · Wilson County Schools

1665 Lipscomb Road, Wilson, NC 27893

Enrollment

389

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,447 of 2,648

In Wilson

#20 of 21

public schools

In district

#24 of 25

Wilson County Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Charles H Darden Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Charles H Darden Middle

3.7/10

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

B O Barnes Elementary

6.8/10

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

Wilson Academy of Applied Technology

9.1/10

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

About Charles H Darden Middle

Charles H Darden Middle is a public middle school in Wilson, NC, part of Wilson County Schools. Charles H Darden Middle serves approximately 389 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Charles H Darden Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,447 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Charles H Darden Middle show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Charles H Darden 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 Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-28.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,450
Chronic Absenteeism31.6%

Charles H Darden Middle — Students at Charles H Darden Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 33.8% (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
73%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
9%
ELA
20%
2013
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
28.1%
ELA
39%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Charles H Darden Middle Compares

See how Charles H Darden Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
8th percentile in NC
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.6%

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

1665 Lipscomb Road, Wilson, NC 27893

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charles H Darden Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Elm City Middle (rated 7.2/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Elm City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Hills Middle (rated 5.4/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wilson, see our Wilson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
B O Barnes Elementary Wilson 0.4 mi 6.8
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson 0.5 mi 9.1
Eastern NC School for the Deaf Wilson 0.6 mi 5.9
Vick Elementary Wilson 0.6 mi 3.4
Sallie B Howard School Wilson 0.9 mi 6.2
Wilson Early College Academy Wilson 0.9 mi 8.3
Milton M Daniels Learning Center Wilson 1.3 mi 5.2
Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson 1.5 mi 5.2
Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson 1.6 mi 5.3
Frederick Douglass Elementary Wilson 2.2 mi 8.0
Wells Elementary Wilson 2.5 mi 5.4
Fike High Wilson 3.1 mi 4.5
Vinson-Bynum Elementary Wilson 3.0 mi 7.0
Beddingfield High Wilson 4.1 mi 5.4
Wilson Preparatory Academy Wilson 3.9 mi 6.6
GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACADEMY Wilson 3.5 mi 6.8
Forest Hills Middle Wilson 3.9 mi 5.4
BUILDING BLOCKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilson 4.8 mi
New Hope Elementary Wilson 5.7 mi 8.7
Elm City Middle Elm City 6.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27893 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,180

Median Home Value

$153,000

Median Rent

$894/mo

Population

38,626

College Educated

14.5%

Homeownership

42.5%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

30.6%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Robbinsville Middle Robbinsville, NC 3.7
Ferndale Middle High Point, NC 3.8
Centennial Campus Middle Raleigh, NC 3.6
Jackson Middle Greensboro, NC 3.6
Swann Middle School Greensboro, NC 3.6
Warren County Middle Warrenton, NC 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charles H Darden Middle

What grades does Charles H Darden Middle serve?

Charles H Darden Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Charles H Darden Middle?

Charles H Darden Middle has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charles H Darden Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Charles H Darden Middle is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charles H Darden Middle rank in NC?

Charles H Darden Middle ranks #2,447 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Charles H Darden Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Charles H Darden Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Charles H Darden Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Charles H Darden Middle has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Charles H Darden Middle a charter school?

No, Charles H Darden Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Charles H Darden Middle a Title I school?

No, Charles H Darden Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charles H Darden Middle?

99.2% of students at Charles H Darden 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Wilson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.6%

District

Wilson County Schools
District Enrollment
10,260
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,450
District Rank
#24 of 25

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.