Average
#2149 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
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#21 of 26
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#371 of 475
In district
#33 of 39
Onslow County Schools
About Southwest Middle
Southwest Middle in Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a regular public school for sixth through eighth graders. With an enrollment of 520 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Southwest Middle ranks #2219 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 17th percentile statewide, with room for academic growth.
In terms of test performance, 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 32% meet proficiency standards in math. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, indicating areas where improvement could benefit the student body further. Southwest Middle sits in a mid-size suburb, providing its students with a setting that balances urban and rural influences.
The community around Southwest Middle offers a supportive environment for middle schoolers to grow academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Southwest Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Middle — Students at Southwest Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
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
↑ 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: 6.1/10.
How Southwest Middle Compares
See how Southwest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 35% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 47.9% (2025).
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 7.0/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northwoods Park Middle (rated 6.2/10, 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 | 3.4 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 4.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 5.0 mi | 6.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Middle has a median household income of $61,462. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,700, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| East Union Middle Marshville, NC | 5.0 |
| Eblen Intermediate Asheville, NC | 5.0 |
| Gov's Village STEM (Upper) Charlotte, NC | 5.0 |
| Hobbton Middle Newton Grove, NC | 5.0 |
| Kernodle Middle Greensboro, NC | 5.0 |
| Northview Middle Hickory, NC | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #2149 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle has a composite rating of 5.0 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 31.6% math proficiency and 45.8% 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?
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (770/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 455-1105
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #33 of 39
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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