Skip to main content

Excellent

#159 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 6% in state

Pilot Mountain Middle

Middle School · Surry County Schools

543 Old Westfield Road, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041

Enrollment

406

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

8.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pilot Mountain

#1 of 4

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#6 of 475

In district

#1 of 20

Surry County Schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pilot Mountain Middle

Pilot Mountain Middle is a public middle school in Pilot Mountain, NC, part of the Surry County Schools. The school serves approximately 406 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 72% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 65% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $68,328, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pilot Mountain 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 Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.7%
Math vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.5 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+31.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,638

Pilot Mountain Middle — Students at Pilot Mountain Middle score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.8%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 65.4%
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
54%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
82.5%
ELA
69.8%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Pilot Mountain Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
94th percentile in NC
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

543 Old Westfield Road, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pilot Mountain Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chestnut Grove Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby King), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mount Airy Middle (rated 6.4/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pilot Mountain, see our Pilot Mountain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.1 mi
School Distance Rating
East Surry High Pilot Mountain 0.7 mi 5.5
Pilot Mountain Elementary Pilot Mountain 0.8 mi 8.7
Westfield Elementary Pilot Mountain 4.2 mi 6.6
Shoals Elementary Pinnacle 5.0 mi 8.4
Pinnacle Elementary School Pinnacle 5.4 mi 7.5
Chestnut Grove Middle School King 7.8 mi 7.0
Mount Olive Elementary School King 7.9 mi 7.9
West Stokes High School King 8.1 mi 5.3
Nancy Reynolds Elementary School Westfield 7.5 mi 5.2
Flat Rock Elementary Mount Airy 9.4 mi 4.5
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 9.3 mi 6.4
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 9.5 mi 6.5
Meadowbrook Academy King 10.2 mi 5.3
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 9.3 mi 6.3
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 10.6 mi 3.3
King Elementary School King 10.7 mi 4.8
Jones Intermediate Mount Airy 10.8 mi 8.0
Mount Airy High Mount Airy 11.0 mi 3.9
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 10.7 mi 7.1
Poplar Springs Elementary School King 11.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27041 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,328

Median Home Value

$214,900

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

7,506

College Educated

23.4%

Homeownership

78.4%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

48.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pilot Mountain Middle has a median household income of $68,328. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,900, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Hayesville Middle Hayesville, NC 8.7
Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC 8.6
The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC 8.6
James E Shepard Middle Durham, NC 8.8
Sedgefield Middle Charlotte, NC 8.3
Cane Creek Middle Fletcher, NC 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pilot Mountain Middle

What grades does Pilot Mountain Middle serve?

Pilot Mountain Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Pilot Mountain Middle?

Pilot Mountain Middle has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pilot Mountain Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Pilot Mountain 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 Pilot Mountain Middle rank in NC?

Pilot Mountain Middle is ranked #159 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Pilot Mountain Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Pilot Mountain Middle has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Pilot Mountain Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pilot Mountain Middle has 71.8% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pilot Mountain Middle a charter school?

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

Is Pilot Mountain Middle a Title I school?

No, Pilot Mountain Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.3% of students at Pilot Mountain 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (718/100K)

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
406
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Surry County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Surry County Schools
District Enrollment
7,352
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,301
District Rank
#1 of 20

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.