Average
#1621 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Stanly Middle
Middle School · Stanly County Schools
12492 Cottonville Road, Norwood, NC 28128
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norwood
#3 of 4
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#253 of 475
In district
#14 of 22
Stanly County Schools
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About South Stanly Middle
South Stanly Middle is a regular public middle school located in Norwood, North Carolina, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 362 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, the school benefits from a relatively small class size compared to other schools. South Stanly Middle has 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive educational environment.
The school’s academic performance shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1881 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (placing it at the 29th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate that South Stanly Middle is focusing on student development and working to improve academic outcomes.
South Stanly Middle is situated in a rural area, providing a close-knit community feel for its students. The school’s location allows for a strong connection between the educational environment and the local community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Stanly Middle 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
View breakdown
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South Stanly Middle — Students at South Stanly Middle score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How South Stanly Middle Compares
See how South Stanly Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 45.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 52.2% (2025).
Location
12492 Cottonville Road, Norwood, NC 28128
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Stanly Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Stanly Middle (rated 6.8/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby New London), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Albemarle Middle (rated 3.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Albemarle), a more accessible option. For more schools in Norwood, see our Norwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Stanly High Norwood | 0.7 mi | 2.8 |
| TILLERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwood | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Norwood Elementary Norwood | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle | 7.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Albemarle Middle Albemarle | 7.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Central Elementary Albemarle | 8.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Stanly Early College High Albemarle | 8.0 mi | 7.2 |
| STRAITWAY BAPTIST SCHOOL Albemarle | 8.7 mi | — |
| Stanly Academy Learning Center Albemarle | 8.9 mi | — |
| Stanly County Virtual Education Albemarle | 8.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Endy Elementary Albemarle | 7.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Albemarle High Albemarle | 9.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Ansonville Elementary Wadesboro | 9.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Mount Gilead Elementary Mount Gilead | 9.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Badin Elementary Badin | 11.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Oakboro Choice STEM Oakboro | 9.7 mi | 9.1 |
| North Stanly Middle New London | 12.4 mi | 6.8 |
| West Stanly High Oakboro | 10.5 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28128 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,941
Median Home Value
$179,700
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
7,610
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
69.7%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Stanly Middle has a median household income of $59,941. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,700, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| East Middle Biscoe, NC | 6.0 |
| North Asheboro Middle Asheboro, NC | 6.0 |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton, NC | 6.0 |
| Butner-Stem Middle Butner, NC | 6.1 |
| Crain's Creek Middle Carthage, NC | 5.9 |
| Eastern Wayne Middle Goldsboro, NC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Stanly Middle
What grades does South Stanly Middle serve?
South Stanly Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Stanly Middle?
South Stanly Middle has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Stanly Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Stanly Middle is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Stanly Middle rank in NC?
South Stanly Middle is ranked #1621 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Stanly Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Stanly Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 South Stanly Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Stanly Middle has 41.5% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Stanly Middle a charter school?
No, South Stanly Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Stanly Middle a Title I school?
No, South Stanly Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Stanly Middle?
63.0% of students at South Stanly 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stanly County
- Phone
- (704) 961-5700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Stanly County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,739
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,914
- District Rank
- #14 of 22
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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