Average
#1260 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 48% in state
J Sam Gentry Middle
Middle School · Surry County Schools
1915 W Pine Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mount Airy
#4 of 11
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#164 of 475
In district
#11 of 20
Surry County Schools
Equity
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About J Sam Gentry Middle
J Sam Gentry Middle is a regular public middle school in Mount Airy, North Carolina, located in a rural area near the town center. Serving students in grades 6 through 8, the school has an enrollment of 346 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. J Sam Gentry Middle holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 47th percentile among North Carolina's schools.
The academic performance score is 5.8/10, with 53% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and Reading, and 54% doing so in Math. While there is room for improvement in test scores, J Sam Gentry Middle focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that encourages student development and engagement. The school’s rural setting offers a close-knit community feel, making it a nurturing place for young adolescents to grow academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, J Sam Gentry 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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J Sam Gentry Middle — Students at J Sam Gentry Middle score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.5/10.
How J Sam Gentry Middle Compares
See how J Sam Gentry Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 58.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 52.9% (2025).
Location
1915 W Pine Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J Sam Gentry Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meadowview Magnet Middle (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mount Airy Middle (rated 6.4/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central Middle (rated 6.2/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Dobson), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mount Airy, see our Mount Airy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| North Surry High Mount Airy | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Franklin Elementary Mount Airy | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| White Plains Elementary Mount Airy | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy | 3.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy | 3.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Jones Intermediate Mount Airy | 4.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Flat Rock Elementary Mount Airy | 4.9 mi | 4.5 |
| St. Paul Cana | 7.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Dobson Elementary Dobson | 8.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Central Middle Dobson | 8.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Surry Online Magnet School Dobson | 8.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Surry Early College Dobson | 8.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Surry Central High Dobson | 8.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Rockford Elementary Dobson | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson | 9.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap | 8.1 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,213
Median Home Value
$153,100
Median Rent
$727/mo
Population
36,350
College Educated
17.8%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding J Sam Gentry Middle has a median household income of $47,213. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,100, with a median rent of $727/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Havelock Middle Havelock, NC | 6.6 |
| Lucas Middle Durham, NC | 6.6 |
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring, NC | 6.6 |
| Riverside Middle Williamston, NC | 6.6 |
| Dunn Middle Dunn, NC | 6.5 |
| Cedar Grove Middle Supply, NC | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J Sam Gentry Middle
What grades does J Sam Gentry Middle serve?
J Sam Gentry Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend J Sam Gentry Middle?
J Sam Gentry Middle has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J Sam Gentry Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at J Sam Gentry Middle is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J Sam Gentry Middle rank in NC?
J Sam Gentry Middle is ranked #1260 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is J Sam Gentry Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
J Sam Gentry Middle has a composite rating of 6.6 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 J Sam Gentry Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J Sam Gentry Middle has 53.8% math proficiency and 52.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J Sam Gentry Middle a charter school?
No, J Sam Gentry Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J Sam Gentry Middle a Title I school?
No, J Sam Gentry Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J Sam Gentry Middle?
99.1% of students at J Sam Gentry 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
- City Safety
- High (2,786/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mount Airy). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Surry County
- Phone
- (336) 786-4155
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Surry County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,352
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,301
- District Rank
- #11 of 20
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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