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Very Good

#938 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 35% in state

West Stanly Middle School

Middle School · Stanly County Schools

339 Running Creek Church Rd, Locust, NC 28097

Enrollment

633

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#938 of 2,648

In Locust

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#7 of 22

Stanly County Schools

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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West Stanly Middle School

7.1/10

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

Locust Elementary

8.6/10

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

West Stanly High

6.0/10

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

About West Stanly Middle School

West Stanly Middle School is a public middle school in Locust, NC, part of Stanly County Schools. West Stanly Middle School serves approximately 633 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. West Stanly Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #938 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Stanly Middle School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 4.5
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

West Stanly Middle School 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 Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+8.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,914
Chronic Absenteeism24.6%

West Stanly Middle School — Students at West Stanly Middle School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.5% (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
79%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
53.7%
ELA
58.7%
2025
Math
65.4%
ELA
64.4%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How West Stanly Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in NC
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.6%

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

339 Running Creek Church Rd, Locust, NC 28097

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Stanly Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mount Pleasant Middle (rated 6.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), with a comparable rating. Additionally, North Stanly Middle (rated 4.3/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby New London), a more accessible option. For more schools in Locust, see our Locust schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Locust Elementary Locust 2.2 mi 8.6
West Stanly High Oakboro 2.1 mi 6.0
Stanfield Elementary Stanfield 4.0 mi 6.0
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Locust 3.7 mi 6.3
Oakboro Choice STEM Oakboro 4.0 mi 9.6
Endy Elementary Albemarle 6.3 mi 5.6
Millingport Elementary Albemarle 8.6 mi 8.0
New Salem Elementary Marshville 10.1 mi 6.6
Mount Pleasant Elementary Mt. Pleasant 10.2 mi 7.9
Bethel Elementary Midland 8.8 mi 7.7
A T Allen Elementary Concord 9.4 mi 5.9
Stanly Early College High Albemarle 9.4 mi 8.1
Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant 10.7 mi 6.5
Aquadale Elementary Norwood 9.6 mi 7.3
Mount Pleasant Middle Mount Pleasant 10.8 mi 6.2
Fairview Elementary Monroe 11.9 mi 7.6
Stanly County Virtual Education Albemarle 11.5 mi 2.8
STRAITWAY BAPTIST SCHOOL Albemarle 11.5 mi
North Stanly Middle New London 12.5 mi 4.3
Patriots Elementary Concord 11.6 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28097 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,600

Median Home Value

$281,200

Median Rent

$861/mo

Population

7,976

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

81.7%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Cary Middle Cary, NC 7.1
Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington, NC 7.1
Grover C Fields Middle New Bern, NC 7.1
Lucas Middle Durham, NC 7.1
M C S Noble Middle Wilmington, NC 7.1
New Century Middle Cameron, NC 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Stanly Middle School

What grades does West Stanly Middle School serve?

West Stanly Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Stanly Middle School?

West Stanly Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 633 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Stanly Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Stanly Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Stanly Middle School rank in NC?

West Stanly Middle School ranks #938 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Stanly Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Stanly Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Stanly Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Stanly Middle School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Stanly Middle School a charter school?

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

Is West Stanly Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

44.7% of students at West Stanly Middle School 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
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
633
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Stanly County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.6%

District

Stanly County Schools
District Enrollment
8,739
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,914
District Rank
#7 of 22

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