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Average

#1298 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 49% in state

West Lincoln Middle

Middle School · Lincoln County Schools

260 Shoal Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Enrollment

546

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,298 of 2,648

In Lincolnton

#7 of 12

public schools

In district

#15 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Equity

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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West Lincoln Middle

6.4/10

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

West Lincoln High

7.3/10

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

Union Elementary

8.2/10

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

About West Lincoln Middle

West Lincoln Middle is a public middle school in Lincolnton, NC, part of Lincoln County Schools. West Lincoln Middle serves approximately 546 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. West Lincoln Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,298 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Lincoln Middle show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

West Lincoln 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 Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment6.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,722
Chronic Absenteeism25.6%

West Lincoln Middle — Students at West Lincoln Middle score 52% 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

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.1% (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
85%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
54%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
50.3%
ELA
53.1%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How West Lincoln Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in NC
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

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

260 Shoal Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Lincoln Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jacobs Fork Middle (rated 6.6/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Another option is John Chavis Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Cherryville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lincolnton Middle (rated 4.8/10, 7.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lincolnton, see our Lincolnton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.5 mi
School Distance Rating
West Lincoln High Lincolnton 0.2 mi 7.3
Union Elementary Vale 2.6 mi 8.2
North Brook Elementary Vale 3.8 mi 7.1
Childers Elementary Lincolnton 3.9 mi 4.9
Cherryville High Cherryville 6.4 mi 7.5
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 7.0 mi 5.1
Banoak Elementary Vale 7.1 mi 6.5
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville 7.3 mi 7.7
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville 7.7 mi 5.6
Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton 6.7 mi 3.9
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton 6.9 mi 7.2
CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale 7.5 mi 4.8
Fallston Elementary Fallston 7.4 mi 6.6
Lincolnton High Lincolnton 7.2 mi 6.4
Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton 7.4 mi 4.8
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton 9.1 mi 6.6
Fred T Foard High Newton 9.4 mi 5.7
S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton 8.1 mi 5.3
Blackburn Elementary Newton 9.7 mi 6.4
GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton 8.5 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28092 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,625

Median Home Value

$220,700

Median Rent

$937/mo

Population

40,224

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Maiden Middle School Maiden, NC 6.4
Newton-Conover Middle Conover, NC 6.4
Rockingham Middle Rockingham, NC 6.4
Whitewater Middle Charlotte, NC 6.4
Ayden Middle Ayden, NC 6.5
Chatham Middle Siler City, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Lincoln Middle

What grades does West Lincoln Middle serve?

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

How many students attend West Lincoln Middle?

West Lincoln Middle has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Lincoln Middle is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Lincoln Middle rank in NC?

West Lincoln Middle ranks #1,298 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Lincoln Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lincoln Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Lincoln Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Lincoln Middle has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Lincoln Middle a charter school?

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

Is West Lincoln Middle a Title I school?

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

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

99.5% of students at West Lincoln 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lincoln County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#15 of 21

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