Average
#2011 of 2,648 schools in NC
East Lincoln Middle
Middle School · Lincoln County Schools
4137 Hwy 73, Iron Station, NC 28080
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Iron Station
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#344 of 475
In district
#17 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About East Lincoln Middle
East Lincoln Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Iron Station, a rural area of Lincoln County, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 748 students and 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, providing a moderately sized learning environment for early adolescents. Academically, East Lincoln Middle ranks #1612 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 40th percentile.
The school's academic score of 6.9/10 reflects room for academic growth. In mathematics, 63% of students score proficient or above, while 57% meet proficiency benchmarks in ELA and reading. These scores suggest that while a solid majority of students demonstrate grade-level competency in core subjects, there are opportunities for the school to strengthen support in both areas.
As a regular public middle school, East Lincoln Middle serves the rural community surrounding Highway 73. The school functions as a community hub for students transitioning through the critical middle school years in a quieter, less urban setting. Parents considering the school should view these academic metrics as a starting point for conversations about curriculum, enrichment opportunities, and individual student support.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, East Lincoln 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
View breakdown
East Lincoln Middle — Students at East Lincoln Middle score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.5/10.
How East Lincoln Middle Compares
See how East Lincoln Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 66.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 55.1% (2025).
Location
4137 Hwy 73, Iron Station, NC 28080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Lincoln Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Stanley Middle (rated 6.8/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Stanley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Lincoln Middle (rated 5.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Iron Station, see our Iron Station schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 3.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 4.3 mi | 5.4 |
| East Lincoln High Denver | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Iron Station Elementary Iron Station | 4.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Catawba Springs Elementary Denver | 4.3 mi | 7.1 |
| St James Elementary Denver | 4.4 mi | 5.6 |
| West Lake Preparatory Academy Denver | 4.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Rock Springs Elementary Denver | 5.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Charter School Denver | 5.4 mi | 5.0 |
| DENVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver | 5.6 mi | 6.4 |
| STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver | 5.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Community Public Charter Stanley | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Stanley Middle Stanley | 7.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Kiser Elementary Stanley | 7.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Asbury Academy Lincolnton | 6.4 mi | — |
| JUDAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stanley | 8.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Springfield Primary Stanley | 8.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden | 8.7 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,054
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Population
8,075
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
87.1%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
45.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding East Lincoln Middle has a median household income of $76,054. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $1,135/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| China Grove Middle China Grove, NC | 5.3 |
| E Lawson Brown Middle Thomasville, NC | 5.3 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury, NC | 5.3 |
| Hertford County Middle Murfreesboro, NC | 5.3 |
| Highland Middle Sanford, NC | 5.3 |
| Pine Hollow Middle Raleigh, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Lincoln Middle
What grades does East Lincoln Middle serve?
East Lincoln Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend East Lincoln Middle?
East Lincoln Middle has an enrollment of approximately 748 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Lincoln Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at East Lincoln Middle is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Lincoln Middle rank in NC?
East Lincoln Middle is ranked #2011 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Lincoln Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
East Lincoln Middle has a composite rating of 5.3 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 East Lincoln Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Lincoln Middle has 63.2% math proficiency and 56.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is East Lincoln Middle a charter school?
No, East Lincoln Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Lincoln Middle a Title I school?
No, East Lincoln Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Lincoln Middle?
37.6% of students at East Lincoln 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (797/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 748
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (704) 732-0761
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #17 of 21
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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