Below Average
#2260 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southwest Middle
Middle School · Gaston County Schools
1 Roadrunner Drive, Gastonia, NC 28052
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,260 of 2,648
In Gastonia
#14 of 25
public schools
In district
#41 of 56
Gaston County Schools
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Southwest Middle
Middle School in Gastonia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hunter Huss High
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
H H Beam Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Middle
Southwest Middle is a public middle school in Gastonia, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Southwest Middle serves approximately 809 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,260 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Middle show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.4
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
39% of students at Southwest 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Middle — Students at Southwest Middle score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 5.1/10.
How Southwest Middle Compares
See how Southwest 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
1 Roadrunner Drive, Gastonia, NC 28052
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. York Chester Middle (rated 5.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, W P Grier Middle School (rated 2.8/10, 3.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 0.7 mi | 3.0 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 0.6 mi | 1.7 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 9.4 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 3.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 3.4 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28052 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,015
Median Home Value
$173,500
Median Rent
$1,058/mo
Population
36,896
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
52.8%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Median Age
34.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bunn Middle Bunn, NC | 4.3 |
| China Grove Middle China Grove, NC | 4.3 |
| East Millbrook Middle Raleigh, NC | 4.3 |
| North Garner Middle Garner, NC | 4.3 |
| Reidsville Middle Reidsville, NC | 4.3 |
| Southern Nash Middle Spring Hope, NC | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Middle
What grades does Southwest Middle serve?
Southwest Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest Middle?
Southwest Middle has an enrollment of approximately 809 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Middle rank in NC?
Southwest Middle ranks #2,260 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest 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 Southwest Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Middle has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Southwest Middle a charter school?
No, Southwest Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Middle a Title I school?
No, Southwest Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Middle?
99.6% of students at Southwest 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 809
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gaston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.4%
- Phone
- (704) 866-6290
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #41 of 56
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