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
Enrollment
1,287
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Southwest Middle School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 4.2/10.
How Southwest Middle School Compares
See how Southwest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 35.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 41.5% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (980) 343-5006
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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