Below Average
#2243 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
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilson
#19 of 21
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#395 of 475
In district
#23 of 25
Wilson County Schools
About Charles H Darden Middle
Charles H Darden Middle is a regular public middle school located in Wilson, North Carolina, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 389 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1, which allows for some individual attention. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, Charles H Darden Middle aims to support its diverse student body.
According to the MySchoolScout rating system, Charles H Darden Middle has an overall score of 2.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of 2465 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 7th percentile. The academic performance metrics show that 35% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 26% meet proficiency standards in math. While these numbers indicate room for improvement, they also highlight the school's commitment to student development.
The setting around Charles H Darden Middle is a mix of residential and light commercial areas, offering its students access to various local amenities and resources within their community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Charles H Darden Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Charles H Darden Middle — Students at Charles H Darden Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Charles H Darden Middle Compares
See how Charles H Darden Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 28.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 38.2% (2025).
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 7.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Elm City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Hills Middle (rated 6.1/10, 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 | 8.8 |
| Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Eastern NC School for the Deaf Wilson | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Vick Elementary Wilson | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Sallie B Howard School Wilson | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Wilson Early College Academy Wilson | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Milton M Daniels Learning Center Wilson | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary Wilson | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Wells Elementary Wilson | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Fike High Wilson | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Vinson-Bynum Elementary Wilson | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Wilson Preparatory Academy Wilson | 3.9 mi | 5.4 |
| GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACADEMY Wilson | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Forest Hills Middle Wilson | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| BUILDING BLOCKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilson | 4.8 mi | — |
| New Hope Elementary Wilson | 5.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Elm City Middle Elm City | 6.3 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Charles H Darden Middle has a median household income of $40,180. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,000, with a median rent of $894/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Centennial Campus Middle Raleigh, NC | 4.8 |
| Elizabethtown Middle Elizabethtown, NC | 4.8 |
| Fairmont Middle Fairmont, NC | 4.8 |
| Mount Olive Middle Mount Olive, NC | 4.8 |
| Rocky Mount Middle Rocky Mount, NC | 4.8 |
| Warren County Middle Warrenton, NC | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2243 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Charles H Darden Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Charles H Darden Middle has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Charles H Darden Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charles H Darden Middle has 25.6% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,011/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (252) 206-4973
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,260
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,450
- District Rank
- #23 of 25
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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