Needs Improvement
#2533 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
3.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#20 of 25
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#459 of 475
In district
#51 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About Southwest Middle
Southwest Middle in Gastonia serves students in grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 809 students. Located at 1 Roadrunner Drive in this Gaston County small city, the school operates as a regular public middle school with 53 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. Academically, Southwest Middle is currently working through a period of significant challenge.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2505 out of 2661 North Carolina schools, the school is in the sixth percentile statewide. Testing data shows that 31 percent of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 33 percent meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These results reflect areas where the school community is focused on building stronger academic foundations and supporting student growth.
The relatively balanced student-teacher ratio suggests the school has resources to provide individualized attention, which can be important as the school works to improve student outcomes. Families considering Southwest Middle should recognize that the school is serving a community with room for academic development, and may want to discuss specific support services and improvement initiatives with school leadership.
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: 45%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How Southwest Middle Compares
See how Southwest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 31.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 30.9% (2025).
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 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W P Grier Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 3.1 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 0.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 1.9 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 3.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Middle has a median household income of $46,015. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,500, with a median rent of $1,058/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Holbrook Middle Lowell, NC | 3.7 |
| Flat Rock Middle East Flat Rock, NC | 3.8 |
| Trinity Middle School Archdale, NC | 3.8 |
| Concord Middle Concord, NC | 3.6 |
| Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 3.9 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte, NC | 3.9 |
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 is ranked #2533 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Southwest Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Middle has 32.8% math proficiency and 31.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,390/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gastonia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 866-6290
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #51 of 56
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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