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Needs Improvement

#2491 of 2,648 schools in NC

Erwin Middle

Middle School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools

170 St Luke's Church Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146

Enrollment

812

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,491 of 2,648

In Salisbury

#6 of 14

public schools

In district

#22 of 32

Rowan-Salisbury Schools

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Erwin Middle

3.5/10

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

East Rowan High

5.6/10

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

Granite Quarry Elementary

4.0/10

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

About Erwin Middle

Erwin Middle is a public middle school in Salisbury, NC, part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Erwin Middle serves approximately 812 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Erwin Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,491 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Erwin Middle show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.4
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Erwin 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 Erwin 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-23.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,141
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Erwin Middle — Students at Erwin Middle score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
25%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
34.6%
ELA
40.1%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Erwin Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in NC
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
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
48 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

170 St Luke's Church Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Erwin Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Rowan Middle (rated 3.1/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Spencer), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Southeast Middle (rated 2.5/10, 4.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Salisbury, see our Salisbury schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.4 mi
School Distance Rating
East Rowan High Salisbury 0.1 mi 5.6
Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry 1.7 mi 4.0
Faith Academy Charter School Faith 2.1 mi 5.8
Rockwell Elementary Rockwell 2.8 mi 7.3
SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury 3.3 mi
ROCKWELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockwell 3.5 mi 3.7
Shive Elementary Rockwell 3.7 mi 5.9
Rowan Co Early College Salisbury 4.3 mi 8.0
Dole Elementary Salisbury 5.1 mi 2.6
Koontz Elementary Salisbury 4.5 mi 2.0
Southeast Middle Salisbury 4.9 mi 2.5
ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury 5.8 mi
Henderson High Salisbury 5.9 mi 5.2
Morgan Elementary Gold Hill 5.0 mi 6.3
Salisbury High Salisbury 5.9 mi 2.6
North Rowan High Spencer 7.1 mi 4.1
North Rowan Elementary Spencer 7.3 mi 2.9
Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury 7.0 mi 6.3
Overton Elementary Salisbury 7.1 mi 2.2
North Rowan Middle Spencer 7.4 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28146 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,053

Median Home Value

$227,600

Median Rent

$888/mo

Population

31,757

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

82%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

42.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Gov's Village STEM (Upper) Charlotte, NC 3.5
Luther Nick Jeralds Middle Fayetteville, NC 3.5
Neuse River Middle Raleigh, NC 3.5
Broadview Middle Burlington, NC 3.4
Douglas Byrd Middle Fayetteville, NC 3.6
East Hoke Middle Raeford, NC 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Erwin Middle

What grades does Erwin Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Erwin Middle?

Erwin Middle has an enrollment of approximately 812 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Erwin Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Erwin Middle is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Erwin Middle rank in NC?

Erwin Middle ranks #2,491 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Erwin Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Erwin Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Erwin Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Erwin Middle has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Erwin Middle a charter school?

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

Is Erwin Middle a Title I school?

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

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

98.8% of students at Erwin 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Rowan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

Rowan-Salisbury Schools
District Enrollment
18,110
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,141
District Rank
#22 of 32

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