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Average

#1196 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 45% in state

Southern Middle

Middle School · Moore County Schools

717 Johnson Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315

Enrollment

607

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,196 of 2,648

In Aberdeen

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#15 of 22

Moore County Schools

Equity

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Middle

6.6/10

Middle School in Aberdeen · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southern Pines Elementary

6.5/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pinecrest High

6.9/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southern Middle

Southern Middle is a public middle school in Aberdeen, NC, part of Moore County Schools. Southern Middle serves approximately 607 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,196 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Middle show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Southern Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,374
Chronic Absenteeism31.3%

Southern Middle — Students at Southern Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 48.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
76%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
24%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
25%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
43.7%
2025
Math
48.3%
ELA
61.5%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Southern Middle Compares

See how Southern Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in NC
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

717 Johnson Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McDeeds Creek Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Southern Pines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pinehurst Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Pinehurst), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Academy of Moore County (rated 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aberdeen, see our Aberdeen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Southern Pines Elementary Southern Pines 1.8 mi 6.5
Pinecrest High Southern Pines 2.1 mi 6.9
Aberdeen Elementary Aberdeen 2.1 mi 6.3
EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines 2.1 mi 6.1
Moore Montessori Community School Southern Pines 2.3 mi 7.4
Pinehurst Elementary Pinehurst 3.8 mi 8.5
The Academy of Moore County Aberdeen 4.1 mi 8.1
THE O'NEAL SCHOOL Southern Pines 4.9 mi 7.1
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Southern Pines 4.9 mi 6.6
McDeeds Creek Elementary Southern Pines 4.9 mi 9.0
SANDHILLS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whispering Pines 6.7 mi 7.0
STARS Charter Vass 6.7 mi 7.9
West Pine Middle West End 7.6 mi 7.1
Sandhills Farm Life Elementary Carthage 8.5 mi 7.1
West Pine Elementary West End 7.7 mi 7.0
Connect Academy West End 7.7 mi
FATHER CAPODANNO SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Vass 9.1 mi 7.0
Vass-Lakeview Elementary Vass 10.0 mi 7.8
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage 12.2 mi 5.1
Union Pines High Cameron 12.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,079

Median Home Value

$279,700

Median Rent

$1,131/mo

Population

14,143

College Educated

31.2%

Homeownership

68.4%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

36.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton, NC 6.6
Kernersville Middle Kernersville, NC 6.6
Liberty Middle Morganton, NC 6.6
Manteo Middle School Manteo, NC 6.6
Midway Middle Dunn, NC 6.6
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy, NC 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Middle

What grades does Southern Middle serve?

Southern Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Southern Middle?

Southern Middle has an enrollment of approximately 607 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Middle rank in NC?

Southern Middle ranks #1,196 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Southern Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Middle has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern Middle a charter school?

No, Southern Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southern Middle a Title I school?

No, Southern Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Middle?

99.5% of students at Southern 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
607
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Moore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

District

Moore County Schools
District Enrollment
12,990
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,374
District Rank
#15 of 22

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