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Very Good

#812 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 31% in state

Holly Grove Middle

Middle School · Wake County Schools

1401 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Enrollment

966

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Holly Springs

#4 of 9

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#85 of 475

In district

#79 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Holly Grove Middle

Holly Grove Middle serves 966 students in grades 6-8 in Holly Springs, a thriving community in Wake County. With 55 full-time teachers, the school maintains a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, allowing for meaningful classroom interactions and personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 74th percentile among North Carolina's middle schools.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 79% achieving proficiency or above, while 72% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. These strong results reflect both effective teaching and the school's commitment to academic excellence. Holly Grove Middle draws from an educated and affluent community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $121,108.

The neighborhood's low 5% poverty rate and median home values of $442,100 indicate a stable, family-oriented environment that values education. The school operates in Holly Springs' large suburban setting along Avent Ferry Road, serving families in this rapidly growing area of Wake County that combines small-town charm with proximity to the Research Triangle's educational and employment opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.6%
Math vs. State Avg+21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Holly Grove Middle — Students at Holly Grove Middle score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.9%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 68.6%
School
State
53.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
78.8%
ELA
71.7%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Holly Grove Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
69th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

1401 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holly Grove Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Apex Friendship Middle (rated 7.4/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Apex), with a very similar rating. Another option is Holly Ridge Middle (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Fuquay-Varina Middle (rated 6.8/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Holly Springs, see our Holly Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs 0.1 mi 8.1
Holly Springs High Holly Springs 0.2 mi 6.1
Buckhorn Creek Elementary Holly Springs 0.9 mi 8.8
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 2.1 mi 7.4
Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs 2.1 mi 5.3
Oakview Elementary Apex 2.3 mi 8.6
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 2.4 mi 7.3
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 2.5 mi 7.0
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 2.6 mi 6.5
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 2.6 mi 7.4
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs 3.3 mi 6.2
Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.6 mi 8.8
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 5.3
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 3.8 mi 8.4
Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina 4.4 mi 6.8
Northwest Harnett Elementary Fuquay-Varina 5.0 mi 7.7
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.5 mi 9.0
Apex Elementary Apex 6.2 mi 7.0
Lufkin Road Middle Apex 6.2 mi 5.5
Apex Friendship Middle Apex 5.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,681

Median Home Value

$474,700

Median Rent

$1,718/mo

Population

45,993

College Educated

64.7%

Homeownership

84.5%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holly Grove Middle has a median household income of $125,681. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $474,700, with a median rent of $1,718/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Charles P Murray Middle Wilmington, NC 7.4
Harris Road Middle Concord, NC 7.4
Margaret B. Pollard Middle Chapel Hill, NC 7.4
Roland-Grise Middle Wilmington, NC 7.4
Clayton Middle Clayton, NC 7.5
Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington, NC 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holly Grove Middle

What grades does Holly Grove Middle serve?

Holly Grove Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Holly Grove Middle?

Holly Grove Middle has an enrollment of approximately 966 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holly Grove Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Holly Grove Middle is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Holly Grove Middle rank in NC?

Holly Grove Middle is ranked #812 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Holly Grove Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Holly Grove Middle has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Holly Grove Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holly Grove Middle has 69.9% math proficiency and 68.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Holly Grove Middle a charter school?

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

Is Holly Grove Middle a Title I school?

No, Holly Grove Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

18.8% of students at Holly Grove 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
966
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Wake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#79 of 194

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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