Very Good
#1039 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 39% in state
H J Macdonald Middle
Middle School · Craven County Board of Education
3127 Elizabeth Avenue, New Bern, NC 28562
Enrollment
695
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
695
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Bern
#10 of 14
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#117 of 475
In district
#15 of 26
Craven County Board of Education
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About H J Macdonald Middle
H J MacDonald Middle in New Bern, North Carolina is a regular public middle school serving grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 695 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student's educational needs. The dedicated staff of 39 full-time equivalent teachers works diligently to support the diverse learning requirements of its middle school population.
The academic performance at H J MacDonald Middle reflects areas for growth; the MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, and it ranks 53rd percentile among schools in North Carolina. Specifically, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that H J MacDonald Middle is focusing on student development with room for academic improvement.
Located centrally within the town setting of New Bern, H J MacDonald Middle benefits from a community environment that supports its educational mission.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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H J Macdonald Middle — Students at H J Macdonald Middle score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How H J Macdonald Middle Compares
See how H J Macdonald Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 51.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 53% (2025).
Location
3127 Elizabeth Avenue, New Bern, NC 28562
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering H J Macdonald Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Grover C Fields Middle (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Craven Middle (rated 4.9/10, 7.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in New Bern, see our New Bern schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Craven Early College High New Bern | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Trent Park Elementary New Bern | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Craven Virtual Academy New Bern | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| New Bern High New Bern | 1.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Grover C Fields Middle New Bern | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES New Bern | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Oaks Road Academy New Bern | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| J T Barber Elementary New Bern | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Bern | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Bridgeton Elementary New Bern | 4.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern | 5.7 mi | 8.5 |
| NEW BERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Bern | 6.2 mi | 5.1 |
| West Craven Middle New Bern | 7.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Creekside Elementary New Bern | 7.6 mi | 8.2 |
| West Craven High Vanceboro | 8.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville | 10.6 mi | 9.4 |
| Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary Vanceboro | 13.4 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28562 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,620
Median Home Value
$246,400
Median Rent
$1,131/mo
Population
38,838
College Educated
33.3%
Homeownership
74.7%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
46.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding H J Macdonald Middle has a median household income of $74,620. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,400, with a median rent of $1,131/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Chase Middle School Forest City, NC | 7.0 |
| Chestnut Grove Middle School King, NC | 7.0 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton, NC | 7.0 |
| Moyock Middle Moyock, NC | 7.0 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville, NC | 7.0 |
| North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville, NC | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #1039 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is H J Macdonald Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
H J Macdonald Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 H J Macdonald Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, H J Macdonald Middle has 43.8% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Bern). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 695
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Craven County
- Phone
- (252) 514-6450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Craven County Board of Education- District Enrollment
- 12,584
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,893
- District Rank
- #15 of 26
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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