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Average

#1567 of 2,648 schools in NC

Wendell Middle

Middle School · Wake County Schools

3409 NC Highway 97, Wendell, NC 27591

Enrollment

711

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wendell

#5 of 8

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#237 of 475

In district

#140 of 194

Wake County Schools

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Wendell Middle

Wendell Middle, located in Wendell, North Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 711 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school offers personalized attention with 51 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and a state ranking at #2040 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (placing it in the 23rd percentile), Wendell Middle focuses on student development with room for academic growth, particularly aiming to improve proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and Math.

The school’s setting is rural, near a town, providing students with a close-knit community feel while offering opportunities for outdoor learning and activities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Wendell 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.

Located in a rural area, Wendell Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.9Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.6%
Math vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Wendell Middle — Students at Wendell Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 40.4%
School
State
53.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
2025
Math
35.7%
ELA
41.6%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Wendell Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
41th percentile in NC
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

3409 NC Highway 97, Wendell, NC 27591

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wendell Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Archer Lodge Middle (rated 7.6/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Neuse River Middle (rated 5.8/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Zebulon Middle (rated 5.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Zebulon), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wendell, see our Wendell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Carver Elementary Wendell 1.0 mi 8.0
Wendell Elementary Wendell 1.8 mi 6.9
East Wake High Wendell 1.7 mi 4.2
Cardinal Charter Acad at Wendell Falls Wendell 2.7 mi 3.4
Lake Myra Elementary Wendell 3.6 mi 7.6
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Zebulon 3.8 mi 7.9
THALES ACADEMY Knightdale 4.1 mi 6.0
Wakelon Elementary Zebulon 4.8 mi 8.6
Knightdale High Knightdale 4.6 mi 4.1
Zebulon Elementary Zebulon 4.8 mi 7.5
Zebulon Middle Zebulon 4.9 mi 5.6
Knightdale Elementary Knightdale 4.9 mi 7.0
Forestville Road Elementary Knightdale 4.9 mi 7.6
Lockhart Elementary Knightdale 5.1 mi 7.8
East Wake Academy Zebulon 5.3 mi 4.8
Corinth Holders High Wendell 6.3 mi 4.0
Archer Lodge Middle Wendell 7.2 mi 7.6
Neuse River Middle Raleigh 6.2 mi 5.8
Rolesville High Rolesville 7.6 mi 4.0
Riverwood Elementary Clayton 7.8 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27591 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,710

Median Home Value

$288,100

Median Rent

$1,280/mo

Population

26,745

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

31.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wendell Middle has a median household income of $76,710. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,100, with a median rent of $1,280/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Brogden Middle Durham, NC 6.1
Dixon Middle Sneads Ferry, NC 6.1
Eastern Wayne Middle Goldsboro, NC 6.1
Ferndale Middle High Point, NC 6.1
Forest Hills Middle Wilson, NC 6.1
Leland Middle Leland, NC 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wendell Middle

What grades does Wendell Middle serve?

Wendell Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Wendell Middle?

Wendell Middle has an enrollment of approximately 711 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wendell Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Wendell Middle is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wendell Middle rank in NC?

Wendell Middle is ranked #1567 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Wendell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Wendell Middle has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Wendell Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wendell Middle has 30.3% math proficiency and 40.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wendell Middle a charter school?

No, Wendell Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wendell Middle a Title I school?

No, Wendell Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wendell Middle?

71.0% of students at Wendell 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,228/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wendell). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Wake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#140 of 194

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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