Very Good
#505 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Southern Middle
Middle School · Moore County Schools
717 Johnson Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315
Enrollment
607
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
607
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aberdeen
#1 of 3
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#29 of 475
In district
#8 of 22
Moore County Schools
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Middle
Southern Middle is a regular public middle school in Aberdeen, North Carolina, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 607 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school ensures that each child receives personalized attention. The dedicated staff consists of 40 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs.
Located in a small suburban area, Southern Middle is part of Moore County's public education system. According to MySchoolScout’s rating scale, the school has an overall score of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks at #869 among the state's 2661 schools. The academic performance places it in the 67th percentile, reflecting areas for improvement as well as strong points.
In terms of subject proficiency, Southern Middle shows that 53% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 41% meet this standard in math. These scores indicate there is room for academic growth but also highlight the school's commitment to student development. Southern Middle stands out as a supportive community within its suburban setting, offering a range of opportunities for middle school students to thrive academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Middle — Students at Southern Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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: 9.6/10.
How Southern Middle Compares
See how Southern Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 48.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 61.5% (2025).
Location
717 Johnson Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pinehurst Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Pinehurst), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sandhills Farm Life Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Carthage), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vass-Lakeview Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Vass), which scores slightly 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 | 7.7 |
| Pinecrest High Southern Pines | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Aberdeen Elementary Aberdeen | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Moore Montessori Community School Southern Pines | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Pinehurst Elementary Pinehurst | 3.8 mi | 8.6 |
| The Academy of Moore County Aberdeen | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| SANDHILLS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whispering Pines | 6.7 mi | 7.0 |
| STARS Charter Vass | 6.7 mi | 7.6 |
| West Pine Middle West End | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Sandhills Farm Life Elementary Carthage | 8.5 mi | 8.5 |
| West Pine Elementary West End | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage | 12.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Union Pines High Cameron | 12.1 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Middle has a median household income of $73,079. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,700, with a median rent of $1,131/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Mooresville Middle Mooresville, NC | 7.9 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle Wilmington, NC | 7.9 |
| Valley Springs Middle Arden, NC | 7.9 |
| West Alexander Middle Taylorsville, NC | 7.9 |
| North Johnston Middle Micro, NC | 8.0 |
| Shallotte Middle Shallotte, NC | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #505 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Middle has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Southern Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Middle has 41.2% math proficiency and 53.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aberdeen). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 693-1550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Moore County Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,990
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,374
- District Rank
- #8 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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