Average
#1678 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
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carthage
#3 of 4
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#269 of 475
In district
#18 of 22
Moore County Schools
Equity
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Crain's Creek Middle
Crain's Creek Middle is a regular public middle school in Carthage, North Carolina, nestled in a rural setting near the town. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 496 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Crain's Creek Middle aims to provide personalized attention for each student.
The academic performance at Crain's Creek Middle places it in the 34th percentile among North Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 4.5 out of 10. In reading and ELA, about half (51%) of students are proficient or above, while in math, slightly fewer than half (41%) meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate that the school has room for academic growth but is actively working to improve student outcomes.
Crain's Creek Middle provides a supportive environment for its rural community, focusing on the development and well-being of each student. The setting offers a close-knit atmosphere where students can thrive with the support of their teachers and peers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Crain's Creek Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Crain's Creek Middle — Students at Crain's Creek Middle score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 6.2/10.
How Crain's Creek Middle Compares
See how Crain's Creek Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 44.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 53.1% (2025).
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. Greenwood Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Lemon Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sandhills Farm Life Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vass-Lakeview Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 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 | 8.3 |
| FATHER CAPODANNO SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Vass | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Cameron Elementary Cameron | 3.9 mi | 8.2 |
| STARS Charter Vass | 4.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Union Pines High Cameron | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage | 5.2 mi | 5.1 |
| New Century Middle Cameron | 5.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Sandhills Farm Life Elementary Carthage | 6.0 mi | 8.5 |
| McDeeds Creek Elementary Southern Pines | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 9.1 |
| Moore Montessori Community School Southern Pines | 9.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines | 9.4 mi | 6.1 |
| The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney Carthage | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Southern Pines Elementary Southern Pines | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Crain's Creek Middle has a median household income of $84,850. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,500, with a median rent of $1,362/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| East Rutherford Middle School Bostic, NC | 5.9 |
| Farmville Middle Farmville, NC | 5.9 |
| John Chavis Middle School Cherryville, NC | 5.9 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington, NC | 5.9 |
| Northeastern Randolph Middle School Liberty, NC | 5.9 |
| Sampson Middle Clinton, NC | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1678 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Crain's Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Crain's Creek Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Crain's Creek Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Crain's Creek Middle has 41.3% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (448/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 245-3796
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Moore County Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,990
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,374
- District Rank
- #18 of 22
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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