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Below Average

#2185 of 2,648 schools in NC

Lincolnton Middle

Middle School · Lincoln County Schools

2361 Startown Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Enrollment

563

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lincolnton

#10 of 12

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#377 of 475

In district

#19 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Lincolnton Middle

Lincolnton Middle, located in the heart of Lincolnton, North Carolina, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 563 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, this regular public middle school offers a relatively small classroom environment, fostering closer relationships between teachers and students. The school’s academic performance is currently ranked at the 18th percentile in North Carolina, with 40% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, and 42% proficient or above in math.

Lincolnton Middle focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment tailored to meet the unique needs of middle school-aged learners. While there is room for academic growth, the school continues to work diligently to improve outcomes for its students. The setting around Lincolnton Middle is rural yet accessible, situated near the town’s amenities while maintaining a peaceful countryside atmosphere.

This location offers students both the benefits of small-town life and proximity to larger resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Lincolnton 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 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.1%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.1 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,582

Lincolnton Middle — Students at Lincolnton Middle score 41% 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

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.9%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.8%
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
41%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
42.6%
ELA
39.2%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Lincolnton Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in NC
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

2361 Startown Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lincolnton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Maiden Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Maiden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Lincoln Middle (rated 6.3/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lincolnton, see our Lincolnton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Lincolnton High Lincolnton 2.9 mi 4.5
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton 2.9 mi 9.1
COMBINE ACADEMY Lincolnton 2.7 mi 7.5
GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton 3.3 mi 5.3
S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton 4.1 mi 7.1
Childers Elementary Lincolnton 4.0 mi 5.8
Asbury Academy Lincolnton 4.4 mi
Maiden High Maiden 4.7 mi 4.5
Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton 5.0 mi 4.4
Maiden Middle School Maiden 4.9 mi 6.3
Maiden Elementary Maiden 5.0 mi 8.1
Union Elementary Vale 5.8 mi 6.1
Blackburn Elementary Newton 7.5 mi 7.6
Iron Station Elementary Iron Station 7.0 mi 8.9
Startown Elementary Newton 8.2 mi 5.9
Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden 7.7 mi 7.8
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 7.4 mi 6.3
Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton 7.3 mi 7.0
West Lincoln High Lincolnton 7.4 mi 5.3
Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton 7.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28092 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,625

Median Home Value

$220,700

Median Rent

$937/mo

Population

40,224

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lincolnton Middle has a median household income of $62,625. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,700, with a median rent of $937/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
East Lee Middle Sanford, NC 4.9
James Martin Middle Charlotte, NC 4.9
Northern Granville Middle Oxford, NC 4.9
Shelby Middle Shelby, NC 4.9
Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg, NC 4.9
West Craven Middle New Bern, NC 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lincolnton Middle

What grades does Lincolnton Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Lincolnton Middle?

Lincolnton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 563 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lincolnton Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Lincolnton Middle is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lincolnton Middle rank in NC?

Lincolnton Middle is ranked #2185 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lincolnton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Lincolnton Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Lincolnton Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lincolnton Middle has 41.9% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lincolnton Middle a charter school?

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

Is Lincolnton Middle a Title I school?

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

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

99.5% of students at Lincolnton 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 (2,492/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lincoln County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#19 of 21

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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