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Needs Improvement

#2531 of 2,648 schools in NC

Holbrook Middle

Middle School · Gaston County Schools

418 S Church Street, Lowell, NC 28098

Enrollment

786

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lowell

#2 of 2

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#458 of 475

In district

#49 of 56

Gaston County Schools

About Holbrook Middle

Holbrook Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Lowell, a mid-size suburb in Gaston County, North Carolina. The school has an enrollment of 786 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 and 44 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Holbrook Middle is working to strengthen student achievement across core subjects.

In English language arts, 41% of students scored proficient or above, while in math, 35% of students met proficiency benchmarks. These results indicate the school has significant room for academic growth. The school's current state ranking places it in the lower percentile of North Carolina middle schools, reflecting these ongoing academic challenges.

For families considering Holbrook Middle, it's worth noting that the school is navigating a critical period of academic development. Students and families interested in this school may want to discuss specific support programs and initiatives the school is implementing to help boost student performance. Located at 418 S Church Street, Holbrook Middle is part of the Lowell community in the mid-size suburban area of Gaston County.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.4%
Math vs. State Avg-23.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,409

Holbrook Middle — Students at Holbrook Middle score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 40.6%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
40%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
33.6%
ELA
41.4%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Holbrook Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
5th percentile in NC
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

418 S Church Street, Lowell, NC 28098

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holbrook Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cramerton Middle (rated 6.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Cramerton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W P Grier Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lowell, see our Lowell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia 1.0 mi 5.0
Lowell Elementary Lowell 1.2 mi 8.2
CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton 1.8 mi 6.4
McAdenville Elementary Mcadenville 1.8 mi 8.7
Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia 1.9 mi 5.2
Ashbrook High Gastonia 2.0 mi 3.0
Warlick Academy Gastonia 1.9 mi 4.9
Cramerton Middle Cramerton 3.2 mi 6.4
Stuart W Cramer High Belmont 3.0 mi 5.1
W P Grier Middle School Gastonia 2.9 mi 3.2
Sherwood Elementary Gastonia 3.0 mi 5.9
Brookside Elementary Gastonia 3.2 mi 5.6
North Belmont Elementary Belmont 3.1 mi 9.0
East Gaston High Mount Holly 3.8 mi 3.7
New Hope Elementary Gastonia 4.0 mi 7.9
Belmont Central Elementary Belmont 3.6 mi 6.3
Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia 3.8 mi 4.4
FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia 3.5 mi 6.1
Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont 3.9 mi 8.3
ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas 4.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28098 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,879

Median Home Value

$153,300

Median Rent

$1,152/mo

Population

3,746

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

19%

Median Age

41.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holbrook Middle has a median household income of $51,879. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Southwest Middle Gastonia, NC 3.7
Flat Rock Middle East Flat Rock, NC 3.8
Trinity Middle School Archdale, NC 3.8
Concord Middle Concord, NC 3.6
Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem, NC 3.9
Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte, NC 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holbrook Middle

What grades does Holbrook Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Holbrook Middle?

Holbrook Middle has an enrollment of approximately 786 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holbrook Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Holbrook Middle is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Holbrook Middle rank in NC?

Holbrook Middle is ranked #2531 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Holbrook Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Holbrook Middle has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Holbrook Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holbrook Middle has 35.0% math proficiency and 40.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Holbrook Middle a charter school?

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

Is Holbrook Middle a Title I school?

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

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

99.6% of students at Holbrook 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

City Safety
High (1,589/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lowell). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
786
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Gaston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gaston County Schools
District Enrollment
30,253
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,190
District Rank
#49 of 56

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 methodology

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