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Very Good

#1044 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 39% in state

Chase Middle School

Middle School · Rutherford County Schools

840 Chase High Rd, Forest City, NC 28043

Enrollment

481

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Forest City

#5 of 8

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#119 of 475

In district

#10 of 18

Rutherford County Schools

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Chase Middle School

Chase Middle School is a regular public middle school in Forest City, North Carolina, located in Rutherford County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 481 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, ensuring that each student receives adequate attention and support. Chase Middle School is situated in a rural area near the town, providing a peaceful setting for learning.

The academic performance at Chase Middle School places it around the middle range among North Carolina’s schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1210 out of 2661 schools, placing it in the 55th percentile. Students perform slightly above average in ELA/Reading, with 55% scoring proficient or above, while 49% are proficient or above in Math. The school continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive environment for academic growth.

Chase Middle School is nestled in a serene rural setting near Forest City, offering students a calm atmosphere conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Chase Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,170

Chase Middle School — Students at Chase Middle School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 49.2%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 55.0%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
54.5%
ELA
59.1%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Chase Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
61th percentile in NC
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

840 Chase High Rd, Forest City, NC 28043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chase Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chesnee Middle (rated 6.8/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Chesnee), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Rutherford Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Bostic), a more accessible option. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Chase High School Forest City 1.4 mi 7.2
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City 2.2 mi 8.4
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Mooresboro 2.9 mi 4.1
Harris Elementary School Forest City 2.9 mi 8.9
Rutherford Opportunity Center Forest City 4.2 mi 5.5
GLENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bostic 5.1 mi
East Rutherford High School Forest City 5.1 mi 5.0
Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside 4.7 mi 9.2
Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School Forest City 5.6 mi 9.1
East Rutherford Middle School Bostic 6.4 mi 5.9
Rutherford Early College High School Spindale 5.9 mi 5.5
WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spindale 6.5 mi 7.5
Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro 6.9 mi 8.6
Spindale Elementary School Spindale 7.9 mi 7.6
Chesnee Elementary Chesnee 8.7 mi 6.2
Chesnee Middle Chesnee 9.5 mi 6.8
Chesnee High Chesnee 9.5 mi 5.8
Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton 8.4 mi 9.3
Mt. Vernon-Ruth Elementary School Forest City 10.5 mi 6.6
Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary Chesnee 11.1 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,746

Median Home Value

$176,100

Median Rent

$744/mo

Population

20,896

College Educated

17.9%

Homeownership

64.2%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

23.8%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chase Middle School has a median household income of $41,746. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Grantham Middle Goldsboro, NC 7.0
Liberty Middle Morganton, NC 7.0
Moyock Middle Moyock, NC 7.0
New Bridge Middle Jacksonville, NC 7.0
North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville, NC 7.0
Central Middle School Gatesville, NC 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chase Middle School

What grades does Chase Middle School serve?

Chase Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Chase Middle School?

Chase Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 481 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chase Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chase Middle School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chase Middle School rank in NC?

Chase Middle School is ranked #1044 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Chase Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chase Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Chase Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chase Middle School has 49.2% math proficiency and 55.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chase Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Chase Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

99.4% of students at Chase 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

City Safety
High (5,858/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forest City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Rutherford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rutherford County Schools
District Enrollment
7,409
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,515
District Rank
#10 of 18

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 methodology

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