Very Good
#972 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 37% in state
Harris Middle
Middle School · Mitchell County Schools
121 Harris Street, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spruce Pine
#2 of 4
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#106 of 475
In district
#4 of 7
Mitchell County Schools
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Harris Middle
Harris Middle is a regular public middle school located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, nestled in the rural Mitchell County. With an enrollment of 222 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, Harris Middle provides a supportive learning environment with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The school covers grades six through eight, offering middle school education to its community.
Harris Middle’s academic performance places it at the 39th percentile among North Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.3 out of 10. In English Language Arts/Reading, 52% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 38% have achieved proficiency. These results indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to enhance overall performance.
Harris Middle serves a rural setting in Spruce Pine, providing educational opportunities to students who may face unique challenges due to their location. The school community works closely with local resources to support its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Harris 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
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Harris Middle — Students at Harris Middle score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 7.1/10.
How Harris Middle Compares
See how Harris Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 43% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 53% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
121 Harris Street, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harris Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bowman Middle (rated 7.6/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West McDowell Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a comparable rating. Additionally, East Yancey Middle (rated 5.5/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Burnsville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spruce Pine, see our Spruce Pine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine | 0.2 mi | 3.9 |
| TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville | 4.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 4.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Riverside Elementary Newland | 6.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 8.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville | 8.1 mi | 8.9 |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 7.5 mi | 6.0 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 8.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Micaville Elementary Micaville | 7.4 mi | 3.1 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 8.3 mi | — |
| East Yancey Middle Burnsville | 9.7 mi | 5.5 |
| GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville | 9.8 mi | — |
| Burnsville Elementary Burnsville | 9.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore | 11.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Crossnore Elementary Crossnore | 12.0 mi | 8.5 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 14.7 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28777 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,399
Median Home Value
$206,300
Median Rent
$686/mo
Population
10,368
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
45.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harris Middle has a median household income of $62,399. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,300, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Cane River Middle Burnsville, NC | 7.0 |
| Grantham Middle Goldsboro, NC | 7.0 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park, NC | 6.8 |
| Enfield Middle S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC | 6.7 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort, NC | 7.5 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harris Middle
What grades does Harris Middle serve?
Harris Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Harris Middle?
Harris Middle has an enrollment of approximately 222 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harris Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Harris Middle is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harris Middle rank in NC?
Harris Middle is ranked #972 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Harris Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Harris Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Harris Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harris Middle has 38.5% math proficiency and 52.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harris Middle a charter school?
No, Harris Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harris Middle a Title I school?
No, Harris Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harris Middle?
98.6% of students at Harris 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spruce Pine). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 222
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mitchell County
- Phone
- (828) 766-3340
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mitchell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,705
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,405
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
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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