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Average

#1357 of 2,648 schools in NC

Crain's Creek Middle

Middle School · Moore County Schools

4631 Union Church Rd, Carthage, NC 28327

Enrollment

496

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,357 of 2,648

In Carthage

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#19 of 22

Moore County Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Crain's Creek Middle

6.3/10

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

Vass-lakeview Elementary

7.8/10

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

Father Capodanno School High School

7.0/10

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

About Crain's Creek Middle

Crain's Creek Middle is a public middle school in Carthage, NC, part of Moore County Schools. Crain's Creek Middle serves approximately 496 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Crain's Creek Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,357 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Crain's Creek Middle show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Crain's Creek Middle 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.

34% of students at Crain's Creek 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 Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-12.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,374
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Crain's Creek Middle — Students at Crain's Creek Middle score 49% 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 42.0% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
84%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
26%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
48.7%
ELA
50.3%
2025
Math
44.8%
ELA
53%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Crain's Creek Middle Compares

See how Crain's Creek Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in NC
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
7.7/10
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
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

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

4631 Union Church Rd, Carthage, NC 28327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Crain's Creek Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McDeeds Creek Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Southern Pines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenwood Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Lemon Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STARS Charter (rated 7.9/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Vass), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carthage, see our Carthage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Vass-Lakeview Elementary Vass 1.6 mi 7.8
FATHER CAPODANNO SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Vass 2.5 mi 7.0
Cameron Elementary Cameron 3.9 mi 6.1
STARS Charter Vass 4.9 mi 7.9
Union Pines High Cameron 4.7 mi 7.1
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage 5.2 mi 5.1
New Century Middle Cameron 5.4 mi 7.1
Sandhills Farm Life Elementary Carthage 6.0 mi 7.1
McDeeds Creek Elementary Southern Pines 6.6 mi 9.0
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Southern Pines 6.7 mi 6.6
SANDHILLS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whispering Pines 6.9 mi 7.0
THE O'NEAL SCHOOL Southern Pines 7.8 mi 7.1
Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs 9.5 mi 8.4
Moore Montessori Community School Southern Pines 9.3 mi 7.4
Carthage Elementary Carthage 8.8 mi 7.9
EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines 9.4 mi 6.1
The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney Carthage 9.3 mi 4.9
CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford 10.4 mi 6.3
Southern Pines Elementary Southern Pines 9.8 mi 6.5
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford 11.3 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,850

Median Home Value

$299,500

Median Rent

$1,362/mo

Population

18,984

College Educated

35.7%

Homeownership

79.1%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

39.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ledford Middle Thomasville, NC 6.3
Wilson STEM Academy Charlotte, NC 6.3
Asheville Middle Asheville, NC 6.2
Bertie Middle Windsor, NC 6.2
Cedar Creek Middle Youngsville, NC 6.2
Central Davidson Middle Lexington, NC 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Crain's Creek Middle

What grades does Crain's Creek Middle serve?

Crain's Creek Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Crain's Creek Middle?

Crain's Creek Middle has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Crain's Creek Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Crain's Creek Middle is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Crain's Creek Middle rank in NC?

Crain's Creek Middle ranks #1,357 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Crain's Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Crain's Creek Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Crain's Creek Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Crain's Creek Middle has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Crain's Creek Middle a charter school?

No, Crain's Creek Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Crain's Creek Middle a Title I school?

No, Crain's Creek Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Crain's Creek Middle?

99.4% of students at Crain's Creek 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Moore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

Moore County Schools
District Enrollment
12,990
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,374
District Rank
#19 of 22

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