Needs Improvement
#2524 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southwest Middle School
Middle School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
13624 Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Enrollment
1,287
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
3.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,287
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
3.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,524 of 2,648
In Charlotte
#158 of 174
public schools
In district
#163 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
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Southwest Middle School
Middle School in Charlotte · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Unity Classical Charter School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lake Wylie Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Middle School
Southwest Middle School is a public middle school in Charlotte, NC, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Southwest Middle School serves approximately 1,287 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,524 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Middle School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.3
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Southwest Middle School runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
37% of students at Southwest Middle School 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 School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 3.0/10.
How Southwest Middle School Compares
See how Southwest Middle School 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
13624 Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasant Knoll Middle (rated 8.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Fort Mill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gold Hill Middle (rated 7.7/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Tega Cay), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Springfield Middle (rated 7.7/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Fort Mill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Unity Classical Charter School Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Lake Wylie Elementary Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| River Gate Elementary Charlotte | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Winget Park Elementary Charlotte | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Palisades High School Charlotte | 2.0 mi | — |
| Palisades Park Elementary Charlotte | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Mill | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| South Pine Academy Charlotte | 3.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Tega Cay Elementary Tega Cay | 3.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Kennedy Middle Charlotte | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasant Knoll Middle Fort Mill | 4.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Steele Creek Elementary Charlotte | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Pleasant Knoll Elementary Fort Mill | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Olympic High School Charlotte | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| PALISADES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Charlotte | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Berewick Elementary Charlotte | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Gold Hill Elementary Tega Cay | 4.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy Charlotte | 4.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Gold Hill Middle Tega Cay | 4.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Springfield Middle Fort Mill | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28273 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,739
Median Home Value
$304,900
Median Rent
$1,671/mo
Population
49,141
College Educated
39.1%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
33
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albemarle Road Middle Charlotte, NC | 3.3 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte, NC | 3.3 |
| Kannapolis Middle Kannapolis, NC | 3.4 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury, NC | 3.5 |
| Neuse River Middle Raleigh, NC | 3.5 |
| Red Oak Middle Battleboro, NC | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Middle School
What grades does Southwest Middle School serve?
Southwest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest Middle School?
Southwest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Middle School rank in NC?
Southwest Middle School ranks #2,524 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Middle School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Southwest Middle School a charter school?
No, Southwest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southwest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Middle School?
99.8% of students at Southwest Middle School 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
- 1,287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.2%
- Phone
- (980) 343-5006
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #163 of 179
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