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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.2%
Math vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,096

Polk County Middle School — Students at Polk County Middle School score 58% 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

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 62.8%
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
58%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
52.5%
ELA
63.2%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Polk County Middle School Compares

See how Polk County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
53th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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