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Needs Improvement

#2596 of 2,648 schools in NC

West Craven Middle

Middle School · Craven County Board of Education

515 NW Craven Mid School Road, New Bern, NC 28562

Enrollment

645

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

2.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,596 of 2,648

In New Bern

#14 of 14

public schools

In district

#26 of 26

Craven County Board of Education

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West Craven Middle

2.8/10

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

West Craven High

3.9/10

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

Vanceboro-farm Life Elementary

3.9/10

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

About West Craven Middle

West Craven Middle is a public middle school in New Bern, NC, part of Craven County Board of Education. West Craven Middle serves approximately 645 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio. West Craven Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,596 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Craven Middle show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

West Craven Middle runs 20.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

West Craven 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.

44% of students at West Craven 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 Progress2.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-24.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,893
Chronic Absenteeism44%

West Craven Middle — Students at West Craven Middle score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 44.0% (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
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
25%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
40.3%
2025
Math
32.8%
ELA
41%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How West Craven Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in NC
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.0%

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

515 NW Craven Mid School Road, New Bern, NC 28562

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Craven Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Grover C Fields Middle (rated 7.1/10, 8.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, H J MacDonald Middle (rated 4.7/10, 7.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Bern, see our New Bern schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West Craven High Vanceboro 1.6 mi 3.9
Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary Vanceboro 6.2 mi 3.9
H J MacDonald Middle New Bern 7.5 mi 4.7
Craven Early College High New Bern 7.9 mi 7.8
New Bern High New Bern 8.3 mi 5.0
Oaks Road Academy New Bern 7.8 mi 2.9
Bridgeton Elementary New Bern 7.5 mi 5.5
Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern 8.7 mi 4.7
Trent Park Elementary New Bern 8.4 mi 7.1
J T Barber Elementary New Bern 8.4 mi 3.8
Craven Virtual Academy New Bern 8.8 mi 3.4
Grover C Fields Middle New Bern 8.6 mi 7.1
THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES New Bern 9.1 mi 7.3
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern 9.1 mi 7.4
James W Smith Elementary Cove City 8.2 mi 7.8
Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern 10.0 mi 8.7
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Bern 10.3 mi 6.6
Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern 12.8 mi 5.2
SWIFT CREEK MENNONITE SCHOOL Grifton 12.9 mi
CLAYSMILL RD CHRISTIAN ACADAMY Dover 12.0 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28562 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,620

Median Home Value

$246,400

Median Rent

$1,131/mo

Population

38,838

College Educated

33.3%

Homeownership

74.7%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

46.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Forsyth Middle School Kernersville, NC 2.8
Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem, NC 2.8
Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg, NC 2.8
W P Grier Middle School Gastonia, NC 2.8
J. M. Alexander Middle Huntersville, NC 2.7
Vance County Middle School Henderson, NC 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Craven Middle

What grades does West Craven Middle serve?

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

How many students attend West Craven Middle?

West Craven Middle has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Craven Middle is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Craven Middle rank in NC?

West Craven Middle ranks #2,596 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Craven Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Craven Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Craven Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Craven Middle has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Craven Middle a charter school?

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

Is West Craven Middle a Title I school?

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

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

95.7% of students at West Craven 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
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Craven County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.0%

District

Craven County Board of Education
District Enrollment
12,584
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,893
District Rank
#26 of 26

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