Very Good
#669 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 25% 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
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#669 of 2,648
In Mill Spring
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#5 of 7
Polk County Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Polk County Middle School
Middle School in Mill Spring · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Polk County High School
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Polk County Early College
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polk County Middle School
Polk County Middle School is a public middle school in Mill Spring, NC, part of Polk County Schools. Polk County Middle School serves approximately 471 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Polk County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #669 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Polk County Middle School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Polk County Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Polk County Middle School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Polk County Middle School — Students at Polk County Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Polk County Middle School Compares
See how Polk County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.8/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Landrum Middle (rated 5.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Landrum), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.5 |
| Polk County Early College Columbus | 2.4 mi | 9.6 |
| Polk Central Elementary School Mill Spring | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Tryon Elementary School Tryon | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure | 7.7 mi | 7.0 |
| O. P. Earle Elementary Landrum | 8.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Landrum Middle Landrum | 8.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Landrum High Campobello | 10.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda | 10.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello | 13.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton | 11.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 11.7 mi | 3.1 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 13.4 mi | — |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman | 13.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville | 12.4 mi | 5.1 |
| UPWARD ADVENTIST SCHOOL Flat Rock | 12.3 mi | — |
| Upward Elementary Flat Rock | 12.5 mi | 4.5 |
| R-S Middle School Rutherfordton | 13.2 mi | 6.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cane Creek Middle Fletcher, NC | 7.6 |
| James E Shepard Middle Durham, NC | 7.6 |
| Springfield Middle Lucama, NC | 7.6 |
| William Ellis Middle Advance, NC | 7.6 |
| Enka Intermediate Candler, NC | 7.5 |
| George M. Horton Middle Pittsboro, NC | 7.5 |
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 ranks #669 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polk County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Polk County Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polk County Middle School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.0%
- Phone
- (828) 894-2215
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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