Needs Improvement
#2488 of 2,648 schools in NC
W C Friday Middle School
Middle School · Gaston County Schools
1221 Ratchford Drive, Dallas, NC 28034
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dallas
#5 of 6
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#449 of 475
In district
#47 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About W C Friday Middle School
W C Friday Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Dallas, North Carolina, part of Gaston County. Situated at 1221 Ratchford Drive, the school serves students from grades six through eight with an enrollment of 612 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1. The school has 31 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education in a rural setting near a town.
W C Friday Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10, placing it at the 12th percentile among North Carolina schools. Its academic score stands at 3.2/10, reflecting that there is room for improvement in test performance. Currently, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in math.
The school focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment conducive to learning. W C Friday Middle School is set in a rural area near the town of Dallas, providing a tight-knit community for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, W C Friday Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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W C Friday Middle School — Students at W C Friday Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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: 3.5/10.
How W C Friday Middle School Compares
See how W C Friday Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 39.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 43% (2025).
Location
1221 Ratchford Drive, Dallas, NC 28034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W C Friday Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Stanley Middle (rated 6.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Stanley), which scores notably higher. Another option is York Chester Middle (rated 5.6/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W P Grier Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dallas, see our Dallas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Gaston High Dallas | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Gaston Early College High School Dallas | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas | 2.1 mi | — |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 3.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 1.9 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 4.5 mi | 4.9 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 5.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Stanley Middle Stanley | 5.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Springfield Primary Stanley | 5.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 6.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,969
Median Home Value
$221,000
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
19,470
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
73.4%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding W C Friday Middle School has a median household income of $59,969. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,000, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 3.9 |
| Mineral Springs Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 3.9 |
| Monroe Middle Monroe, NC | 3.9 |
| Carver Middle Laurel Hill, NC | 4.0 |
| Flat Rock Middle East Flat Rock, NC | 3.8 |
| Graham Middle Graham, NC | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W C Friday Middle School
What grades does W C Friday Middle School serve?
W C Friday Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend W C Friday Middle School?
W C Friday Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 612 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W C Friday Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at W C Friday Middle School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W C Friday Middle School rank in NC?
W C Friday Middle School is ranked #2488 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W C Friday Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
W C Friday 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 W C Friday Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W C Friday Middle School has 39.4% math proficiency and 42.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W C Friday Middle School a charter school?
No, W C Friday Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W C Friday Middle School a Title I school?
No, W C Friday Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W C Friday Middle School?
99.5% of students at W C Friday 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
- City Safety
- High (2,072/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dallas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 612
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 922-5297
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #47 of 56
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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