Skip to main content

Excellent

#228 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 9% in state

West Alexander Middle

Middle School · Alexander County Schools

85 Bulldog Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

8.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#228 of 2,648

In Taylorsville

#1 of 8

public schools

In district

#1 of 11

Alexander County Schools

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West Alexander Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

West Alexander Middle

8.4/10

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

Bethlehem Elementary

6.8/10

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

Gateway School

5.2/10

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

About West Alexander Middle

West Alexander Middle is a public middle school in Taylorsville, NC, part of Alexander County Schools. West Alexander Middle serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. West Alexander Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #228 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Alexander Middle show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

West Alexander 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+21.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,929
Chronic Absenteeism18.1%

West Alexander Middle — Students at West Alexander Middle score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 58.8% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
65.4%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
72.6%
ELA
63.5%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How West Alexander Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
91th percentile in NC
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.1%

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

85 Bulldog Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Alexander Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Northview Middle (rated 5.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Hickory), a more accessible option. Additionally, Harry M Arndt Middle (rated 4.9/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Hickory), a more accessible option. For more schools in Taylorsville, see our Taylorsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 2.5 mi 6.8
Gateway School Granite Falls 3.2 mi 5.2
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville 4.2 mi 6.5
Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls 4.7 mi 5.0
Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville 5.1 mi 6.5
W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory 6.4 mi 6.9
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 6.7 mi 7.8
Snow Creek Elementary Hickory 6.8 mi 7.7
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory 7.3 mi 5.9
Northview Middle Hickory 7.3 mi 5.8
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 7.2 mi 4.9
Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir 6.2 mi 2.8
Saint Stephens High Hickory 7.4 mi 4.8
NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover 7.1 mi
Viewmont Elementary Hickory 8.4 mi 3.6
Hickory High Hickory 8.6 mi 4.5
MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville 7.2 mi 4.0
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory 8.9 mi 4.7
Alexander Central High Taylorsville 7.5 mi 7.1
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory 9.0 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28681 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,343

Median Home Value

$188,000

Median Rent

$719/mo

Population

26,117

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

44.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North Buncombe Middle Weaverville, NC 8.4
New Century International Middle Fayetteville, NC 8.3
Pilot Mountain Middle Pilot Mountain, NC 8.5
Rogers-Herr Middle Durham, NC 8.7
North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville, NC 8.1
Seventy-First Classical Middle Fayetteville, NC 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Alexander Middle

What grades does West Alexander Middle serve?

West Alexander Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Alexander Middle?

West Alexander Middle has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Alexander Middle?

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

How does West Alexander Middle rank in NC?

West Alexander Middle ranks #228 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Alexander Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Alexander Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 West Alexander Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Alexander Middle has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Alexander Middle a charter school?

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

Is West Alexander Middle a Title I school?

No, West Alexander Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.4% of students at West Alexander 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Alexander County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.1%

District

Alexander County Schools
District Enrollment
4,365
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,929
District Rank
#1 of 11

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.