Very Good
#707 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Smith Middle
Middle School · Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
9201 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chapel Hill
#9 of 20
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#63 of 475
In district
#8 of 18
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Smith Middle
Smith Middle serves 749 students in grades 6-8 on Seawell School Road in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With 58 full-time teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, this regular public school has earned strong recognition for its academic performance. The school ranks #211 out of 2,661 North Carolina middle schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10.
Students demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 74% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 72% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels tested. These results reflect the school's academic score of 8.6 out of 10. Smith Middle draws from a well-educated community in the 27516 ZIP code, where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $94,354.
The area's median home value of $468,600 reflects the established nature of this Chapel Hill neighborhood, though 14.7% of residents experience poverty, adding economic diversity to the community of 44,697. Located in the small city setting of Chapel Hill, Smith Middle benefits from the educational culture and resources that Orange County's university town environment provides.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smith Middle — Students at Smith Middle score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.8%
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: 5.1/10.
How Smith Middle Compares
See how Smith Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 72.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 73.8% (2025).
Location
9201 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smith Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McDougle Middle (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Phillips Middle (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Culbreth Middle (rated 6.5/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chapel Hill, see our Chapel Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Seawell Elementary Chapel Hill | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| McDougle Elementary Chapel Hill | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| McDougle Middle Chapel Hill | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Northside Elementary Chapel Hill | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Phillips Middle Chapel Hill | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Phoenix Academy High Chapel Hill | 2.8 mi | — |
| Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill | 2.8 mi | — |
| FPG Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Carrboro High Carrboro | 3.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 3.2 mi | 4.8 |
| ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.8 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,788
Median Home Value
$508,400
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
Population
46,372
College Educated
72.4%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smith Middle has a median household income of $100,788. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $508,400, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Clayton Middle Clayton, NC | 7.5 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington, NC | 7.5 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford, NC | 7.5 |
| Southern Middle Roxboro, NC | 7.5 |
| Sun Valley Middle Indian Trail, NC | 7.5 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smith Middle
What grades does Smith Middle serve?
Smith Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Smith Middle?
Smith Middle has an enrollment of approximately 749 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Smith Middle is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smith Middle rank in NC?
Smith Middle is ranked #707 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith Middle has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Smith Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith Middle has 69.6% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smith Middle a charter school?
No, Smith Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smith Middle a Title I school?
No, Smith Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith Middle?
26.8% of students at Smith 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 5 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 21 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 49 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,693/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chapel Hill). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 749
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 918-2145
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,386
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,963
- District Rank
- #8 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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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