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Needs Improvement

#2492 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

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#160 of 173

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#451 of 475

In district

#167 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

About Southwest Middle School

Southwest Middle School serves 1,287 students in grades 6-8 in Charlotte's Steele Creek area of Mecklenburg County. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, providing a substantial learning environment for its sizable student body. The school is currently focusing on academic development, with room for growth in core subject areas.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 41% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while 36% achieve proficiency in mathematics. Southwest Middle School ranks in the 8th percentile among North Carolina's middle schools, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student outcomes. The school sits in a well-established community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 28273 shows economic stability, with a median household income of $83,822 and median home values of $274,100. The area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.3%, reflecting the community's overall prosperity. Southwest Middle School operates as a regular public school within Charlotte's large urban setting, serving families in the growing Steele Creek corridor where suburban development continues to expand.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.5%
Math vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,853

Southwest Middle School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.2%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
35.7%
ELA
41.5%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Southwest Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
6th percentile in NC
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

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. Gold Hill Middle (rated 6.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Tega Cay), which scores notably higher. Another option is Springfield Middle (rated 6.8/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Fort Mill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pleasant Knoll Middle (rated 6.0/10, 4.1 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 5.0
Lake Wylie Elementary Charlotte 1.2 mi 7.3
River Gate Elementary Charlotte 1.6 mi 7.7
Winget Park Elementary Charlotte 1.7 mi 7.9
Palisades High School Charlotte 2.0 mi
Palisades Park Elementary Charlotte 2.2 mi 7.0
WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Mill 2.9 mi 6.3
South Pine Academy Charlotte 3.3 mi 2.7
Tega Cay Elementary Tega Cay 3.9 mi 7.2
Kennedy Middle Charlotte 3.8 mi 5.7
Pleasant Knoll Middle Fort Mill 4.1 mi 6.0
Steele Creek Elementary Charlotte 4.0 mi 8.0
Pleasant Knoll Elementary Fort Mill 4.2 mi 8.6
Olympic High School Charlotte 4.1 mi 5.4
PALISADES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Charlotte 4.0 mi 6.5
Berewick Elementary Charlotte 4.7 mi 6.3
Gold Hill Elementary Tega Cay 4.7 mi 7.1
Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy Charlotte 4.7 mi 7.8
Gold Hill Middle Tega Cay 4.8 mi 6.8
Springfield Middle Fort Mill 4.9 mi 6.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest Middle School has a median household income of $84,739. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,900, with a median rent of $1,671/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. 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
Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte, NC 3.9
Monroe Middle Monroe, NC 3.9
Holbrook Middle Lowell, NC 3.7
Southwest Middle Gastonia, NC 3.7
Harold E. Winkler Middle Concord, NC 4.2
Kannapolis Middle Kannapolis, NC 4.2

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 is ranked #2492 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Middle School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Middle School has 34.2% math proficiency and 39.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#167 of 179

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 methodology

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