Below Average
#2306 of 2,648 schools in NC
Northwest Middle
Middle School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
5501 Murray Road, Winston-salem, NC 27106
Enrollment
759
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
759
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Winston-salem
#30 of 34
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#410 of 475
In district
#68 of 78
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Northwest Middle
Northwest Middle serves grades six through eight in Winston Salem, offering a middle school experience to 759 students in Forsyth County. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9 to 1, with 51 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Northwest Middle is working toward improvement, with room for growth in core subjects.
In English language arts, 25 percent of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while 26 percent achieved proficiency in mathematics. The school is currently focused on student development and building stronger academic foundations across the curriculum. Located at 5501 Murray Road in Winston Salem's large city setting, Northwest Middle draws from the local community and serves as a neighborhood middle school resource for families in the area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwest Middle — Students at Northwest Middle score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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: 4.3/10.
How Northwest Middle Compares
See how Northwest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 29.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 24.6% (2025).
Location
5501 Murray Road, Winston-salem, NC 27106
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thomas Jefferson Middle (rated 7.5/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mineral Springs Middle (rated 3.9/10, 4.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Winston-salem, see our Winston-salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson Elementary Winston-Salem | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| WOODLAND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Forsyth Academy Winston-Salem | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| North Forsyth High Winston-Salem | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Kingswood School Winston-Salem | 1.8 mi | — |
| Old Town Elementary Winston-Salem | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| The Special Children's School Winston-Salem | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Rural Hall Elementary Rural Hall | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Ronald W Reagan High School Pfafftown | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Speas Elementary Winston-Salem | 4.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| North Hills Elementary Winston-Salem | 4.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem | 5.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Winston-Salem | 5.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Childrens Center Winston-Salem | 5.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Mineral Springs Elementary Winston-Salem | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL King | 5.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Mineral Springs Middle Winston-Salem | 4.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Old Richmond Elementary Tobaccoville | 4.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary Winston-Salem | 5.9 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,091
Median Home Value
$286,000
Median Rent
$1,090/mo
Population
49,296
College Educated
48.2%
Homeownership
52.9%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Middle has a median household income of $66,091. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,000, with a median rent of $1,090/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Hanes Magnet School Winston-Salem, NC | 4.5 |
| J E Holmes Middle Eden, NC | 4.5 |
| Lakeshore Middle Mooresville, NC | 4.5 |
| North Iredell Middle Olin, NC | 4.5 |
| North Rowan Middle Spencer, NC | 4.5 |
| Ranson Middle Charlotte, NC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Middle
What grades does Northwest Middle serve?
Northwest Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwest Middle?
Northwest Middle has an enrollment of approximately 759 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Middle rank in NC?
Northwest Middle is ranked #2306 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Northwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Middle has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Northwest Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Middle has 25.7% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Middle a charter school?
No, Northwest Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Middle a Title I school?
No, Northwest Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Middle?
99.6% of students at Northwest 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,758/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Winston-salem). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 759
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Forsyth County
- Phone
- (336) 703-4161
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools- District Enrollment
- 52,157
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,811
- District Rank
- #68 of 78
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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