Summary:
The Person County Schools district in North Carolina is home to two middle schools: Southern Middle and Northern Middle. Based on the available data, Southern Middle appears to be the standout performer, consistently outpacing Northern Middle and the district average on various academic measures.
Southern Middle boasts significantly higher proficiency rates in Math, Reading, and Science on the End-of-Grade (EOG) tests across all grade levels. For instance, in the 2024-2025 school year, Southern Middle's 8th grade Math proficiency rate was 53.8%, compared to 31.8% at Northern Middle and the district average of 43.3%. Additionally, Southern Middle is ranked in the top 50% of North Carolina middle schools, while Northern Middle is ranked in the bottom 25%. Southern Middle also maintains a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, while Northern Middle has a 1-star rating.
Despite the performance gap, both schools serve a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, with around 99% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This raises questions about equity and the distribution of resources within the district. Addressing the root causes of the performance differences and implementing targeted interventions at Northern Middle could help improve student outcomes and ensure more equitable educational opportunities for all students in the Person County Schools district.
Thank you for your feedback!