Average
#1255 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Polk County Middle School
Middle School · Polk County Schools
321 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mill Spring
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#163 of 475
In district
#5 of 7
Polk County Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Polk County Middle School
Polk County Middle School serves 471 students in grades 6-8 in the rural community of Mill Spring, North Carolina. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 75th percentile statewide, placing 673rd out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.
Academically, students show stronger performance in English Language Arts, with 63% achieving proficiency or above, while math scores indicate room for growth with 52% meeting proficiency standards. Located on Wolverine Trail, the school serves a community where the median household income is $60,049 and median home values reach $222,500. The surrounding area has a 10.8% poverty rate, and 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The favorable student-teacher ratio suggests students receive personalized support as they navigate the crucial middle school years. Polk County Middle School operates in North Carolina's scenic foothills region, where the rural setting provides a close-knit educational environment for families in this community of approximately 4,200 residents.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Polk County Middle School 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
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Polk County Middle School — Students at Polk County Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 3.2/10.
How Polk County Middle School Compares
See how Polk County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 52.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 63.2% (2025).
Location
321 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. R-S Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Landrum Middle (rated 6.8/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Landrum), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mill Spring, see our Mill Spring schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County High School Columbus | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Polk County Early College Columbus | 2.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Polk Central Elementary School Mill Spring | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring | 5.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Tryon Elementary School Tryon | 7.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| O. P. Earle Elementary Landrum | 8.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Landrum Middle Landrum | 8.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Landrum High Campobello | 10.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda | 10.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello | 13.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton | 11.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 11.7 mi | 3.5 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 13.4 mi | — |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman | 13.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville | 12.4 mi | 5.1 |
| UPWARD ADVENTIST SCHOOL Flat Rock | 12.3 mi | — |
| Upward Elementary Flat Rock | 12.5 mi | 6.2 |
| R-S Middle School Rutherfordton | 13.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ASHEVILLE ACADEMY Black Mountain | 15.8 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28756 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,112
Median Home Value
$275,000
Median Rent
$662/mo
Population
4,468
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
79.7%
Avg Commute
35.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
46
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polk County Middle School has a median household income of $54,112. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,000, with a median rent of $662/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. 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 |
| J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy, NC | 6.6 |
| Lucas Middle Durham, NC | 6.6 |
| Nash Central Middle Nashville, NC | 6.6 |
| Riverside Middle Williamston, NC | 6.6 |
| South View Middle Hope Mills, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk County Middle School
What grades does Polk County Middle School serve?
Polk County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Polk County Middle School?
Polk County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 471 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk County Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk County Middle School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk County Middle School rank in NC?
Polk County Middle School is ranked #1255 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polk County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk County Middle School 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 Polk County Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polk County Middle School has 52.3% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polk County Middle School a charter school?
No, Polk County Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk County Middle School a Title I school?
No, Polk County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk County Middle School?
99.4% of students at Polk County Middle School 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (823/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 471
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (828) 894-2215
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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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