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Average

#1114 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 42% 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

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,114 of 2,648

In Forest City

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#15 of 18

Rutherford County Schools

Equity

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Chase Middle School

6.8/10

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

Chase High School

7.0/10

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

Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School

7.8/10

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

About Chase Middle School

Chase Middle School is a public middle school in Forest City, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Chase Middle School serves approximately 481 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Chase Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,114 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Chase Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Chase 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.

40% of students at Chase Middle School 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 Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,515
Chronic Absenteeism39.9%

Chase Middle School — Students at Chase Middle School score 57% 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

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 51.7% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
34%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
53.7%
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: 7.8/10.

How Chase Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in NC
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.9%

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

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 5.8/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Chesnee), with a comparable rating. Additionally, East Rutherford Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 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 7.0
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City 2.2 mi 7.8
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Mooresboro 2.9 mi 6.9
Harris Elementary School Forest City 2.9 mi 8.5
Rutherford Opportunity Center Forest City 4.2 mi 5.7
GLENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bostic 5.1 mi
East Rutherford High School Forest City 5.1 mi 7.3
Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside 4.7 mi 8.3
Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School Forest City 5.6 mi 8.7
East Rutherford Middle School Bostic 6.4 mi 5.6
Rutherford Early College High School Spindale 5.9 mi 7.9
WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spindale 6.5 mi 7.5
Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro 6.9 mi 8.1
Spindale Elementary School Spindale 7.9 mi 5.3
Chesnee Elementary Chesnee 8.7 mi 7.6
Chesnee Middle Chesnee 9.5 mi 5.8
Chesnee High Chesnee 9.5 mi 6.8
Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton 8.4 mi 8.3
Mt. Vernon-Ruth Elementary School Forest City 10.5 mi 7.2
Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary Chesnee 11.1 mi 7.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Macon Middle School Franklin, NC 6.8
R-S Middle School Rutherfordton, NC 6.8
Brevard Middle Brevard, NC 6.7
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy, NC 6.7
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin, NC 6.7
Orange Middle Hillsborough, NC 6.7

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 ranks #1,114 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Chase Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chase Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Chase Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chase Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.9%

District

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

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