Below Average
#2277 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
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,277 of 2,648
In Norwood
#4 of 4
public schools
In district
#18 of 22
Stanly County Schools
Shortlisting around South Stanly Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
South Stanly Middle
Middle School in Norwood · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South Stanly High
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tillery Christian Academy
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Stanly Middle
South Stanly Middle is a public middle school in Norwood, NC, part of Stanly County Schools. South Stanly Middle serves approximately 362 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. South Stanly Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,277 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for South Stanly Middle show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
South Stanly Middle 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Stanly Middle — Students at South Stanly Middle score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 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: 2.7/10.
How South Stanly Middle Compares
See how South Stanly 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
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 4.3/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby New London), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Albemarle Middle (rated 2.4/10, 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 | 5.4 |
| TILLERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwood | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Norwood Elementary Norwood | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood | 3.4 mi | 7.3 |
| East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle | 7.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Albemarle Middle Albemarle | 7.8 mi | 2.4 |
| Central Elementary Albemarle | 8.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Stanly Early College High Albemarle | 8.0 mi | 8.1 |
| STRAITWAY BAPTIST SCHOOL Albemarle | 8.7 mi | — |
| Stanly Academy Learning Center Albemarle | 8.9 mi | — |
| Stanly County Virtual Education Albemarle | 8.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Endy Elementary Albemarle | 7.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Albemarle High Albemarle | 9.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle | 9.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Ansonville Elementary Wadesboro | 9.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Mount Gilead Elementary Mount Gilead | 9.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Badin Elementary Badin | 11.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Oakboro Choice STEM Oakboro | 9.7 mi | 9.6 |
| North Stanly Middle New London | 12.4 mi | 4.3 |
| West Stanly High Oakboro | 10.5 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Lee Middle Sanford, NC | 4.3 |
| North Stanly Middle New London, NC | 4.3 |
| William R Davie Middle S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC | 4.3 |
| G. C. Hawley Middle Creedmoor, NC | 4.2 |
| West Edgecombe Middle Rocky Mount, NC | 4.2 |
| Gamewell Middle Lenoir, NC | 4.4 |
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 ranks #2,277 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Stanly Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Stanly Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 South Stanly Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Stanly Middle has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (704) 961-5700
Resources & Links
District
Stanly County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,739
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,914
- District Rank
- #18 of 22
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.