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Below Average

#2370 of 2,648 schools in NC

Southwest Middle

Middle School · Onslow County Schools

3000 Furia Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Enrollment

520

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

4.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,370 of 2,648

In Jacksonville

#25 of 26

public schools

In district

#38 of 39

Onslow County Schools

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Southwest Middle

4.0/10

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

Southwest High

3.7/10

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

Blue Creek Elementary

4.5/10

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

About Southwest Middle

Southwest Middle is a public middle school in Jacksonville, NC, part of Onslow County Schools. Southwest Middle serves approximately 520 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,370 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southwest Middle show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

34% 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,056
Chronic Absenteeism33.7%

Southwest Middle — Students at Southwest Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 47.2% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
30.3%
ELA
43.7%
2025
Math
35.4%
ELA
47.9%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Southwest Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
11th percentile in NC
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

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

3000 Furia Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. New Bridge Middle (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northwoods Park Middle (rated 5.2/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Southwest High Jacksonville 0.6 mi 3.7
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville 0.8 mi 4.5
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville 1.5 mi 5.5
Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville 1.7 mi 5.4
Southwest Elementary Jacksonville 2.8 mi 5.3
Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville 3.1 mi 5.2
New Bridge Middle Jacksonville 3.0 mi 7.2
Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville 3.4 mi 7.2
ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 3.5 mi
Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville 3.4 mi 5.8
Northwoods Elementary Jacksonville 3.6 mi 7.1
ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville 3.6 mi 5.2
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 3.8 mi 8.7
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 3.8 mi 6.6
FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville 3.7 mi
Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville 3.8 mi 6.6
Jacksonville High Jacksonville 4.2 mi 6.3
Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville 3.9 mi 6.3
Summersill Elementary Jacksonville 5.0 mi 6.5
LWCS Jacksonville 5.0 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,462

Median Home Value

$201,700

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

50,808

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

29

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Allen Middle Greensboro, NC 4.0
Eastern Wayne Middle Goldsboro, NC 4.0
Hertford County Middle Murfreesboro, NC 4.0
Mount Olive Middle Mount Olive, NC 4.0
Northern Middle Roxboro, NC 4.0
Riverside Middle Williamston, NC 4.0

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 520 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle is 16.2:1. 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 #2,370 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 47% 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?

64.6% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Onslow County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

District

Onslow County Schools
District Enrollment
27,592
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,056
District Rank
#38 of 39

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