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Below Average

#2246 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

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,246 of 2,648

In Wendell

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#172 of 194

Wake County Schools

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Wendell Middle

4.4/10

Middle School in Wendell · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Carver Elementary

5.3/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wendell Elementary

5.1/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wendell Middle

Wendell Middle is a public middle school in Wendell, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Wendell Middle serves approximately 711 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Wendell Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,246 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Wendell Middle show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Wendell Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

34% of students at Wendell Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment6.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Wendell Middle — Students at Wendell Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

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 35.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 42.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
23%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
30.3%
ELA
45.3%
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: 3.9/10.

How Wendell Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in NC
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.5/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Zebulon Middle (rated 5.3/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Zebulon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Neuse River Middle (rated 3.5/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), 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 5.3
Wendell Elementary Wendell 1.8 mi 5.1
East Wake High Wendell 1.7 mi 6.4
Cardinal Charter Acad at Wendell Falls Wendell 2.7 mi 6.2
Lake Myra Elementary Wendell 3.6 mi 5.3
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Zebulon 3.8 mi 7.9
THALES ACADEMY Knightdale 4.1 mi 6.0
Wakelon Elementary Zebulon 4.8 mi 6.8
Knightdale High Knightdale 4.6 mi 4.1
Zebulon Elementary Zebulon 4.8 mi 3.5
Zebulon Middle Zebulon 4.9 mi 5.3
Knightdale Elementary Knightdale 4.9 mi 4.8
Forestville Road Elementary Knightdale 4.9 mi 4.0
Lockhart Elementary Knightdale 5.1 mi 4.3
East Wake Academy Zebulon 5.3 mi 6.5
Corinth Holders High Wendell 6.3 mi 6.4
Archer Lodge Middle Wendell 7.2 mi 6.5
Neuse River Middle Raleigh 6.2 mi 3.5
Rolesville High Rolesville 7.6 mi 6.6
Riverwood Elementary Clayton 7.8 mi 7.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Clayton Middle Clayton, NC 4.4
Gamewell Middle Lenoir, NC 4.4
Otis L Hairston Sr Middle Greensboro, NC 4.4
West Iredell Middle Statesville, NC 4.4
Enka Middle Candler, NC 4.5
Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake, NC 4.5

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 ranks #2,246 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Wendell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Wendell Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Wendell Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wendell Middle has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

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

How we rate schools

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