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Needs Improvement

#2579 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

2.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,579 of 2,648

In Winston-salem

#60 of 63

public schools

In district

#74 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

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Northwest Middle

2.9/10

Middle School in Winston-salem · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gibson Elementary

3.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Woodland Baptist Christian School

5.9/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northwest Middle

Northwest Middle is a public middle school in Winston-salem, NC, part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Northwest Middle serves approximately 759 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,579 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Northwest Middle show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

43% of students at Northwest Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-28.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,811
Chronic Absenteeism43%

Northwest Middle — Students at Northwest Middle score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
24%
ELA
33%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
23.5%
ELA
23.7%
2025
Math
29.5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Northwest Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
3th percentile in NC
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.1/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mineral Springs Middle (rated 2.4/10, 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 3.1
WOODLAND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem 0.9 mi 5.9
Forsyth Academy Winston-Salem 1.6 mi 3.8
North Forsyth High Winston-Salem 1.9 mi 3.4
Kingswood School Winston-Salem 1.8 mi
Old Town Elementary Winston-Salem 2.4 mi 3.3
The Special Children's School Winston-Salem 3.0 mi 7.2
Rural Hall Elementary Rural Hall 3.5 mi 4.5
Ronald W Reagan High School Pfafftown 3.5 mi 7.4
Speas Elementary Winston-Salem 4.3 mi 8.0
Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem 4.5 mi 4.9
North Hills Elementary Winston-Salem 4.3 mi 2.8
Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem 5.3 mi 7.1
Jefferson Elementary Winston-Salem 5.1 mi 7.0
Childrens Center Winston-Salem 5.4 mi 7.1
Mineral Springs Elementary Winston-Salem 4.7 mi 4.0
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL King 5.4 mi 5.1
Mineral Springs Middle Winston-Salem 4.7 mi 2.4
Old Richmond Elementary Tobaccoville 4.6 mi 7.6
Sherwood Forest Elementary Winston-Salem 5.9 mi 9.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carver Middle Laurel Hill, NC 2.9
Ridge Road Middle Charlotte, NC 2.9
East Forsyth Middle School Kernersville, NC 2.8
Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem, NC 2.8
Lumberton Junior Lumberton, NC 3.0
Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem, NC 3.0

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 ranks #2,579 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Northwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Northwest Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest Middle has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.0%

District

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
District Enrollment
52,157
Schools in District
81
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,811
District Rank
#74 of 78

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