Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its North Carolina rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Avery Middle

Q: Is Avery Middle a good school?

Avery Middle ranks 534 th of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

534^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 778 North Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 31% of North Carolina middle schools

Summary

Avery Middle is a small, rural school in Newland, North Carolina, serving 181 students in grades 6–8 as part of Avery County Schools. The school serves a highly economically disadvantaged community: 98.3% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025, up sharply from 71.7% two years earlier. Chronic absenteeism has risen to 33.6%, well above the district’s 20.2% and the state’s 24.2%. Avery Middle’s state ranking has dropped significantly from its peak in 2018–2019, when it placed in the 80th percentile, to the 31st percentile in 2025–2026 — a modest recovery from the prior year’s 1-star, 17th-percentile showing.

The biggest academic red flag is 8th-grade math: only 16.7% of 8th graders scored proficient in 2025–2026, compared with 39.5% in the district and 53.0% statewide. At the same time, 6th-grade math proficiency improved to 50% and 7th-grade math rose to 45.6%, suggesting a possible challenge in how students are supported as they approach 8th grade. Reading proficiency also trails the state in every grade level. The most instructive comparison is Cranberry Middle, only six miles away and part of the same district. Despite nearly identical demographics — 96–98% free/reduced lunch — Cranberry Middle ranks in the 79th percentile statewide, versus Avery Middle’s 31st. The gap is stark in math: Cranberry Middle’s 6th graders post 91.3% proficiency versus Avery Middle’s 50%, while its 8th graders post 63.5% versus Avery Middle’s 16.7%.

There are encouraging bright spots. 8th-grade science is a genuine strength: 69.7% proficient, essentially matching the state’s 68.6%. Special education students performed relatively well too, with the subgroup ranking in the 69th percentile statewide in the most recent year. The school’s low student-teacher ratio of 9.3 suggests smaller classes, though that alone has not translated into top results. The comparison with Cranberry Middle — similar poverty, yet vastly different outcomes — makes clear that Avery Middle’s challenges are not simply the result of demographics. School-level differences in instruction, academic supports, and climate likely play a major role in shaping student results.

181

Students ?

9.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

98.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

102 Old Montezuma Road
Newland, NC 28657

(828) 733-0145

District: Avery County Schools

Students who attend Avery Middle usually attend:

High:

Avery County High

Feeder schools for Avery Middle:

Elementary:	Crossnore Elementary
	Newland Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

76.2%

Hispanic:

22.7%

African American:

0.6%

See top rated North Carolina middle schools

Compare Avery Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 59th percentile in 2016 → 31st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (46% vs 58% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (34% vs 24% North Carolina)

!Ranking has slipped — down 28 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg58%

North Carolina avg58%

534^th of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Bottom 31%▼ down 28 pts since 2016

From top 41% (2016) to bottom 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

102^nd of 246Avery County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.6	534 of 778	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	19.4	643 of 773	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.6	550 of 793	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	47.7	399 of 784	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.5	477 of 786	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	58.7	276 of 741	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	76.9	148 of 737	79.9%	★★★★☆
2018	71.3	177 of 691	74.4%	★★★★☆
2017	62.8	252 of 694	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	58.9	284 of 692	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	61.0	266 of 705	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	43.2	351 of 627	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2013	49.6	331 of 673	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	57.3	337 of 662	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	58.3	316 of 648	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	61.8	272 of 640	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	65.7	231 of 630	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	52.0	331 of 620	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	54.7	316 of 606	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	69.1	170 of 598	71.6%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	27.5	346 of 449	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	57.8	121 of 478	74.7%	★★★★☆
2019	73.1	70 of 504	86.1%	★★★★☆
2018	60.3	108 of 475	77.3%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	30.2	284 of 363	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.1	216 of 371	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.3	238 of 356	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	27.5	261 of 312	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.8	117 of 151	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	30.8	522 of 731	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	16.3	651 of 733	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	33.3	507 of 738	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.6	295 of 731	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.7	435 of 733	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	65.1	220 of 706	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	81.2	104 of 684	84.8%	★★★★☆
2018	70.3	190 of 656	71.0%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	21.5	427 of 452	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	40.1	359 of 450	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	46.5	307 of 448	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	74.3	17 of 416	95.9%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	13.1	541 of 566	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.9	537 of 562	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	18.7	505 of 564	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.2	424 of 553	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.0	471 of 541	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	42.9	295 of 522	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.0	307 of 493	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	21.0	414 of 472	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	35.8	478 of 725	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	22.8	610 of 729	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.9	481 of 743	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.5	239 of 735	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.3	321 of 689	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	73.5	104 of 633	83.6%	★★★★☆
2019	79.1	75 of 639	88.3%	★★★★☆
2018	73.3	105 of 604	82.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.7	509 of 736	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	22.3	586 of 733	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.6	528 of 751	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	37.1	472 of 747	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.8	482 of 748	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	51.0	322 of 711	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.6	184 of 697	73.6%	★★★★☆
2018	69.5	185 of 665	72.2%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.1	154 of 500	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	26.6	396 of 478	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	33.0	309 of 473	34.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	23.7	525 of 644	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	9.3	615 of 649	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.3	585 of 652	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.6	505 of 656	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	22.4	558 of 658	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	39.2	384 of 632	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.5	192 of 624	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.8	177 of 596	70.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2026)69th percentile+38 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)34th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)31st percentile~ school

Female (2026)29th percentile-3 vs school

Disabled (2022)23rd percentile-16 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)22nd percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)18th percentile-13 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2023)6th percentile-44 vs school

Hispanic (2026)4th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science70%~ state avg

Reading47%-9 vs state

Mathematics37%-19 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Avery Middle and help other families decide.

Rate Avery Middle

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Avery Middle

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Avery Middle	Public	6-8	102 Old Montezuma Road	Newland	28657	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 733-0145	181	19	9.3	98.3%	138 (76.2%)	1 (0.6%)	41 (22.7%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32.6	534^th of 778 public middle schools	31.4%		19.4	643^rd of 773 public middle schools	16.8%	109	50.0	45.6	16.7	46.9	52.6	40.9	69.7	$12,188	$1,295	$10,894
Cranberry Middle	Public	6-8	6230 North US Highway 19E	Elk Park	28622	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 733-2932	202	18	11.3	96.0%	185 (91.6%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.5%)	76.4	163^rd of 778 public middle schools	79.0%		67.4	227^th of 773 public middle schools	70.6%	64	91.3	83.6	63.5	56.5	68.9	65.1	73.0	$11,973	$1,132	$10,841
Mitchell Middle School	Public	6-8	5035 S 226 Hwy Ste B	Bakersville	28705	Mitchell County	Mitchell County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(828) 766-3340	380	27	14.0	97.4%	304 (80.0%)	1 (0.3%)	61 (16.1%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.9%)	30.9	546^th of 778 public middle schools	29.8%					(n/a)	31.7	49.1	44.4	37.3	55.2	47.6	58.7
Watauga Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual	6-8	175 Pioneer Trail	Boone	28607	Watauga County	Watauga County Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(828) 264-7190	10	6	4.0	50.0%	6 (60.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (30.0%)	1 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Avery Middle

Is Avery Middle a good school?

Avery Middle ranks 534^th of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Avery Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 181 students attended Avery Middle.

What high school do graduates of Avery Middle attend?

Students who attend Avery Middle usually go on to attend Avery County High

What district is Avery Middle in?

Avery County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Avery Middle?

Students at Avery Middle are 76% White, 23% Hispanic.

Rate Avery Middle!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

NCNorth Carolina Middle School Rankings

NCNorth Carolina District Rankings

Schools in Newland, NC

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Avery Middle!

Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.