Below Average
#2137 of 2,648 schools in NC
H J Macdonald Middle
Middle School · Craven County Board of Education · New Bern, NC
A Craven County Board of Education middle school where students score 5 points above what's typical for similar communities.
3127 Elizabeth Avenue, New Bern, NC 28562
- Math 51% vs NC 54% (2025)
- Reading 53% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at H J Macdonald Middle score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 14 points since 2020, reaching 52% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 48% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 52% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
98.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where H J Macdonald Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 20Car-Dependent
- Bike 30Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,979/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (New Bern), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$74,620
Median home value
$246,400
Median rent
$1,131/mo
College educated
33.3%
Homeownership
74.7%
Poverty rate
10.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28562; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craven Virtual AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 3.4 | 4–12 | 1.4 mi | 134 | Compare → |
| Grover C Fields MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 7.1 | 6–8 | 1.6 mi | 552 | Compare → |
| The Epiphany School of Global StudiesPrivate · tuition | 7.3private | K–12 | 1.7 mi | 447 | Compare → |
| Calvary Baptist Church SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.4private | K–12 | 1.9 mi | 98 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Craven County Board of Education
- Schools in district
- 26
- Rank in district
- #16 of 26
- District spending per student
- $11,893NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 16.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
H J Macdonald Middle is listed in Craven County Board of Education; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About H J Macdonald Middle
H J Macdonald Middle is a public middle school in New Bern, NC, part of Craven County Board of Education, serving approximately 695 students in grades 6th-8th with a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,137 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about H J Macdonald Middle
What grades does H J Macdonald Middle serve?
H J Macdonald Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend H J Macdonald Middle?
H J Macdonald Middle has an enrollment of approximately 695 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at H J Macdonald Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at H J Macdonald Middle is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does H J Macdonald Middle rank in NC?
H J Macdonald Middle ranks #2,137 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is H J Macdonald Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
H J Macdonald Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 H J Macdonald Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, H J Macdonald Middle has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is H J Macdonald Middle a charter school?
No, H J Macdonald Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is H J Macdonald Middle a Title I school?
No, H J Macdonald Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for H J Macdonald Middle?
98.3% of students at H J Macdonald 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 695
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Craven County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.8%
- Phone
- (252) 514-6450
- Area population (ZIP 28562)
- 38,838
- Area average commute
- 19.1 min
- Area median age
- 46.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28562; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.