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

Madison Middle School

Q: Is Madison Middle School a good school?

Madison Middle School ranks 369 th of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

369^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 778 North Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 53% of North Carolina middle schools

Summary

Madison Middle School is a grades 6–8 school in Marshall, NC, serving 468 students within the Madison County Schools district, where 99% of students qualify for free/reduced-price lunch and the student-teacher ratio is a favorable 11.8 to 1. After a strong run as a 4-star school ranked near the 76th–78th percentile of North Carolina middle schools from 2020-21 through 2023-24, Madison Middle School has slipped to a 3-star rating at the 53rd percentile — below its own district, which holds a 4-star rating.

The most urgent warning sign is chronic absenteeism. Madison’s rate of 38.7% is roughly double that of Cane River Middle, a similarly rural, high-poverty school in the neighboring Yancey County Schools district (18.8%), and far above the state average of 24.2%; the trend is worsening, up from 28% two years ago. Test scores reveal a sharp grade-level pattern: 6th grade math proficiency (71.8%) is well above the state rate (59.2%), 7th grade remains above state, but 8th grade math collapses to 39.9% versus 53.0% statewide and 74.2% at Cane River. The same cohort of students dropped from 60.8% proficiency in 6th grade math to 42.9% by 8th grade, indicating a structural problem rather than a one-year blip. Eighth grade science has also plunged from 85.3% proficiency in 2023–24 to 62.6% in 2025–26, now below the state average.

The school has genuine strengths: 6th grade instruction remains a standout, special education outcomes have climbed from the 14th to 67th percentile over two years, and results for Hispanic students rank near the 90th percentile compared with statewide peers. However, the gender gap is wide and growing, with female students 33 percentile points ahead of male students in 2025–26. Poverty alone does not explain these patterns — North Buncombe Middle serves a similarly high-poverty population while dramatically outperforming Madison in 7th and 8th grade math, reading, and science. Improving attendance and strengthening the 8th grade experience, especially in math and science, are the most productive priorities for Madison Middle.

468

Students ?

11.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

99.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

95 Upper Brush Creek Rd
Marshall, NC 28753-9455

(828) 649-2269

District: Madison County Schools

Students who attend Madison Middle School usually attend:

High:	Madison Early College High
	Madison High School

Feeder schools for Madison Middle School:

Elementary:	Brush Creek Elementary
	Hot Springs Elementary
	Mars Hill Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.2%

Hispanic:

6.0%

Two or more races:

2.8%

See top rated North Carolina middle schools

Compare Madison Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 59th percentile in 2016 → 53rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the North Carolina median (53rd percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (39% vs 24% North Carolina)

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school57%

District avg57%

North Carolina avg58%

369^th of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 47%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 41% (2016) to top 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

70^th of 246Madison 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	53.2	369 of 778	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.5	310 of 773	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.7	194 of 793	75.5%	★★★★☆
2023	71.5	192 of 784	75.5%	★★★★☆
2022	73.8	175 of 786	77.7%	★★★★☆
2021	66.9	218 of 741	70.6%	★★★★☆
2019	55.9	330 of 737	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.6	238 of 691	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	58.6	293 of 694	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	59.0	282 of 692	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	58.1	291 of 705	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	42.9	354 of 627	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	46.6	350 of 673	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	57.9	329 of 662	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	56.1	339 of 648	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2010	54.5	354 of 640	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	53.4	354 of 630	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	53.5	321 of 620	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	46.2	391 of 606	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2006	53.0	333 of 598	44.3%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	63.1	81 of 449	82.0%	★★★★☆
2021	68.3	67 of 478	86.0%	★★★★☆
2019	36.7	327 of 504	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.5	158 of 475	66.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	68.1	209 of 731	71.4%	★★★★☆
2025	59.3	266 of 733	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	74.8	158 of 738	78.6%	★★★★☆
2023	67.7	203 of 731	72.2%	★★★★☆
2022	70.0	196 of 733	73.3%	★★★★☆
2021	69.7	185 of 706	73.8%	★★★★☆
2019	55.3	310 of 684	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.9	214 of 656	67.4%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	68.5	106 of 465	77.2%	★★★★☆
2025	56.8	250 of 458	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	74.2	40 of 461	91.3%	★★★★★
2023	63.8	172 of 452	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.0	174 of 450	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.4	281 of 448	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.9	346 of 416	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	82.5	55 of 562	90.2%	★★★★★
2024	79.0	64 of 564	88.7%	★★★★☆
2023	84.2	47 of 553	91.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	55.5	290 of 725	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.8	283 of 729	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.4	121 of 743	83.7%	★★★★☆
2023	77.1	111 of 735	84.9%	★★★★☆
2022	73.2	110 of 689	84.0%	★★★★☆
2021	77.2	78 of 633	87.7%	★★★★☆
2019	62.1	194 of 639	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	72.3	112 of 604	81.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	38.3	459 of 736	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.8	342 of 733	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.3	224 of 751	70.2%	★★★★☆
2023	72.8	175 of 747	76.6%	★★★★☆
2022	75.2	160 of 748	78.6%	★★★★☆
2021	62.5	234 of 711	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.9	327 of 697	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.2	241 of 665	63.8%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.8	165 of 500	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	35.4	304 of 478	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	24.2	409 of 473	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	30.5	478 of 644	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	29.4	493 of 649	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	49.9	322 of 652	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.3	340 of 656	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	52.9	292 of 658	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.6	348 of 632	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.2	496 of 624	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.8	395 of 596	33.7%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2025)90th percentile+30 vs school

Disabled (2022)82nd percentile+4 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)77th percentile+25 vs school

Female (2026)71st percentile+19 vs school

Special Education (2026)67th percentile+14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)60th percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)38th percentile-15 vs school

White (2026)26th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science63%-6 vs state

Mathematics57%~ state avg

Reading56%~ state avg

★

No ratings yet

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

Rate Madison Middle School

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 Madison Middle School

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 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Madison Middle School	Public	6-8	95 Upper Brush Creek Rd	Marshall	28753	Madison County	Madison County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 649-2269	468	40	11.8	99.4%	422 (90.2%)	2 (0.4%)	28 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.8%)	53.2	369^th of 778 public middle schools	52.6%		56.5	310^th of 773 public middle schools	59.9%	59		71.8	59.6	39.9		59.2	58.2	51.4		62.6	$10,566	$689	$9,878
North Windy Ridge Intermediate	Public	5-6	20 Doan Road	Weaverville	28787	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 658-1892	487	33	14.8	98.2%	370 (76.0%)	5 (1.0%)	93 (19.1%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.7%)								(n/a)	69.4	70.1			68.0	66.0			71.6		$9,704	$1,139	$8,564
North Buncombe Middle	Public	7-8	51 N Buncombe School Road	Weaverville	28787	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 645-7944	516	36	14.4	98.8%	413 (80.0%)	2 (0.4%)	72 (14.0%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.7%)	76.8	160^th of 778 public middle schools	79.4%		72.9	182^nd of 773 public middle schools	76.5%	22			71.1	66.5			64.2	67.7		80.5	$9,771	$846	$8,925
Erwin Middle	Public	7-8	20 Erwin Middle School Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 232-4264	545	40	13.7	99.4%	277 (50.8%)	40 (7.3%)	194 (35.6%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.5%)	23 (4.2%)	18.9	659^th of 778 public middle schools	15.3%		19.8	639^th of 773 public middle schools	17.3%	20			43.0	28.6			41.9	34.4		50.8	$9,336	$764	$8,571
Eblen Intermediate	Public	5-6	59 Lee's Creek Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 255-5757	566	38	14.9	99.3%	301 (53.2%)	49 (8.7%)	187 (33.0%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.4%)	22 (3.9%)								(n/a)	50.2	51.3			44.0	42.3			59.0		$9,206	$1,398	$7,808
Asheville Middle	Public	6-8	211 S French Broad Avenue	Asheville	28801	Buncombe County	Asheville City Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 350-6200	670	59	11.3	50.9%	383 (57.2%)	145 (21.6%)	74 (11.0%)	5 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.5%)	53 (7.9%)	59.1	314^th of 778 public middle schools	59.6%		51	380^th of 773 public middle schools	50.8%	66		55.2	59.6	45.9		57.5	61.9	66.5		74.2	$12,770	$724	$12,046
Cane River Middle	Public	6-8	1128 Cane River School Road	Burnsville	28714	Yancey County	Yancey County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 682-2202	210	18	11.7	98.1%	186 (88.6%)	1 (0.5%)	18 (8.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	60	300^th of 778 public middle schools	61.4%		54	341^st of 773 public middle schools	55.9%	41		67.6	49.3	74.2		56.9	52.0	56.5		77.4	$11,216	$1,039	$10,177

Frequently Asked Questions about Madison Middle School

What high school do graduates of Madison Middle School attend?

Students who attend Madison Middle School usually go on to attend Madison Early College High

What is the racial makeup of Madison Middle School?

Students at Madison Middle School are 90% White, 6% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Madison Middle School in?

Madison County Schools

How many students attend Madison Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 468 students attended Madison Middle School.

Is Madison Middle School a good school?

Madison Middle School ranks 369^th of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Madison Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

NCNorth Carolina Middle School Rankings

NCNorth Carolina District Rankings

Schools in Marshall, NC

Sign up for updates!

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

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.