Excellent
#195 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Cranberry Middle
Middle School · Avery County Schools
6230 North Highway 19E, Elk Park, NC 28622
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#195 of 2,648
In Elk Park
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 8
Avery County Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Cranberry Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cranberry Middle
Middle School in Elk Park · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Freedom Trail Elementary
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rainbow Christian Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cranberry Middle
Cranberry Middle is a public middle school in Elk Park, NC, part of Avery County Schools. Cranberry Middle serves approximately 184 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cranberry Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #195 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cranberry Middle show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 7.0
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
At 184 students, Cranberry Middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Cranberry 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cranberry Middle — Students at Cranberry Middle score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Cranberry Middle Compares
See how Cranberry Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
6230 North Highway 19E, Elk Park, NC 28622
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cranberry Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Avery Middle (rated 5.4/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Newland), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bowman Middle (rated 4.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Elk Park, see our Elk Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 0.0 mi | 8.3 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 1.0 mi | — |
| Newland Elementary Newland | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Avery County High Newland | 6.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Avery Middle Newland | 6.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain | 6.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 5.9 mi | 9.4 |
| Cloudland High School Roan Mountain | 6.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore | 8.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Crossnore Elementary Crossnore | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Riverside Elementary Newland | 11.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Little Milligan Butler | 12.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 12.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 11.2 mi | 6.6 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 14.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine | 14.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville | 14.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville | 14.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 14.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas | 14.4 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28622 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,169
Median Home Value
$171,100
Median Rent
$702/mo
Population
2,701
College Educated
12.8%
Homeownership
77.1%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
23%
Median Age
47.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Foothills Community School Marion, NC | 8.6 |
| Montford North Star Academy Asheville, NC | 8.3 |
| Reid Ross Classical Middle Fayetteville, NC | 8.3 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC | 8.9 |
| Brown Summit Middle Browns Summit, NC | 9.1 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort, NC | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cranberry Middle
What grades does Cranberry Middle serve?
Cranberry Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cranberry Middle?
Cranberry Middle has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cranberry Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cranberry Middle is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cranberry Middle rank in NC?
Cranberry Middle ranks #195 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cranberry Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cranberry Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Cranberry Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cranberry Middle has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cranberry Middle a charter school?
No, Cranberry Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cranberry Middle a Title I school?
No, Cranberry Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cranberry Middle?
98.4% of students at Cranberry 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 184
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Avery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.2%
- Phone
- (828) 733-2932
Resources & Links
District
Avery County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,856
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,513
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.