Skip to main content

Average

#1556 of 2,648 schools in NC

Dixon Middle

Middle School · Onslow County Schools

118 Ridgefield Ave, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460

Enrollment

978

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina middle schools

#233 of 475

In district

#28 of 39

Onslow County Schools

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Dixon Middle

Dixon Middle serves 978 students in grades 6-8 in the rural community of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. Academically, Dixon Middle shows room for growth, with 57% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 55% in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 38th percentile among North Carolina middle schools, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student outcomes. The dedicated teaching staff works to support nearly a thousand students through the critical middle school years. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $79,112 and home values average $267,300.

With 38% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 8.3%, Dixon Middle serves families in a community that values education and investment in their children's futures. Located at 118 Ridgefield Ave, Dixon Middle sits in the heart of Sneads Ferry, a coastal community of about 11,700 residents in Onslow County. The rural setting provides students with a close-knit school environment while being part of North Carolina's beautiful coastal region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dixon 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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.5Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.3%
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment3.1Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,680

Dixon Middle — Students at Dixon Middle score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.0%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 54.9%
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
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
55%
ELA
57.4%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Dixon Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
41th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

118 Ridgefield Ave, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dixon Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. New Bridge Middle (rated 7.0/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Surf City Middle (rated 6.4/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Hampstead), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Southwest Middle (rated 5.0/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sneads Ferry, see our Sneads Ferry schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Dixon Elementary Holly Ridge 1.2 mi 5.4
NORTH SHORE ACADEMY Sneads Ferry 1.6 mi 6.2
Dixon High Holly Ridge 3.8 mi 5.2
Coastal Elementary Holly Ridge 3.7 mi 7.3
Surf City Elementary Hampstead 9.7 mi 5.1
Surf City Middle Hampstead 9.7 mi 6.4
Southwest Middle Jacksonville 13.9 mi 5.0
Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville 14.1 mi 4.8
New Bridge Middle Jacksonville 14.4 mi 7.0
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville 14.5 mi 5.5
Southwest Elementary Jacksonville 14.1 mi 7.8
Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville 14.5 mi 6.7
Southwest High Jacksonville 14.5 mi 3.4
MILESTONES ACADEMY Jacksonville 14.3 mi 7.3
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 14.3 mi 6.7
VILLAGE ACADEMY Jacksonville 14.5 mi
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville 14.6 mi 6.7
Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville 14.7 mi 7.8
Bell Fork Elementary Jacksonville 14.7 mi 6.5
Hunters Creek Elementary Jacksonville 14.6 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28460 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,180

Median Home Value

$310,000

Median Rent

$1,544/mo

Population

13,405

College Educated

38%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

30.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dixon Middle has a median household income of $86,180. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,000, with a median rent of $1,544/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Brogden Middle Durham, NC 6.1
Forest Hills Middle Wilson, NC 6.1
Leland Middle Leland, NC 6.1
Marvin Ridge Middle Waxhaw, NC 6.1
Wakefield Middle Raleigh, NC 6.1
Wendell Middle Wendell, NC 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dixon Middle

What grades does Dixon Middle serve?

Dixon Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Dixon Middle?

Dixon Middle has an enrollment of approximately 978 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dixon Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Dixon Middle is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dixon Middle rank in NC?

Dixon Middle is ranked #1556 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dixon Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Dixon Middle has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Dixon Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dixon Middle has 51.0% math proficiency and 54.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dixon Middle a charter school?

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

Is Dixon Middle a Title I school?

No, Dixon Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

37.7% of students at Dixon 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (770/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
978
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Onslow County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Onslow County Schools
District Enrollment
27,592
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,056
District Rank
#28 of 39

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

Related 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.