Excellent
#238 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 9% 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
8.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#238 of 2,648
In Chapel Hill
#8 of 20
public schools
In district
#7 of 18
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Smith Middle
Middle School in Chapel Hill · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Seawell Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chapel Hill High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Smith Middle
Smith Middle is a public middle school in Chapel Hill, NC, part of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Smith Middle serves approximately 749 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #238 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Smith Middle show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- District avg 7.9
- NC avg 5.7
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: 69%).
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 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: 7.5/10.
How Smith Middle Compares
See how Smith Middle 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
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 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Phillips Middle (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Culbreth Middle (rated 7.0/10, 3.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 8.0 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| McDougle Elementary Chapel Hill | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| McDougle Middle Chapel Hill | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Northside Elementary Chapel Hill | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Phillips Middle Chapel Hill | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Phoenix Academy High Chapel Hill | 2.8 mi | — |
| Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill | 2.8 mi | — |
| FPG Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Carrboro High Carrboro | 3.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.8 mi | 8.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| North Buncombe Middle Weaverville, NC | 8.4 |
| West Alexander Middle Taylorsville, NC | 8.4 |
| Carnage Middle Raleigh, NC | 8.5 |
| Heritage Middle Wake Forest, NC | 8.3 |
| Lewisville Middle Lewisville, NC | 8.3 |
| Charles P Murray Middle Wilmington, NC | 8.2 |
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 ranks #238 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Smith Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith Middle has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.1%
- Phone
- (919) 918-2145
Resources & Links
District
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,386
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,963
- District Rank
- #7 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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