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Central Middle

Q: Is Central Middle a good school?

Central Middle ranks 325 th of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

325^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 778 North Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 58% of North Carolina middle schools

Summary

Central Middle is a public school serving 502 students in grades 6 through 8 in Dobson, NC, as part of Surry County Schools. Nearly every student—99.4%—qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, yet the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 16.4% is better than the district average (17.9%) and well below the state average (24.2%). Central currently ranks #325 out of 778 North Carolina middle schools, placing it at the 58th percentile with a 3-star rating, an improvement from the prior year's 49th percentile.

Academically, math is Central's clear strength: average proficiency across grades 6–8 is about 66.4%, well above the state average of 56.1% and even with the district's 66.2%. Reading is the main concern, with only about 52.1% of students proficient, below both the district (58.0%) and state (55.7%). In the local competitive set, Central lands mid-pack. It outperforms Meadowview Magnet Middle, Starmount Middle, and Mount Airy Middle, and is competitive with East Wilkes Middle School and J Sam Gentry Middle, but trails Pilot Mountain Middle and Elkin Middle. Pilot Mountain is a notable comparison because it serves a nearly identical high-poverty population (99.3% free/reduced-price lunch) yet ranks at the 89th percentile.

Central posts standout results with several student groups. Economically disadvantaged students rank at the 76th percentile statewide, and gifted students perform at the 98th percentile—#11 in North Carolina. Hispanic and English learner students also improved noticeably. Gains, however, are not universal: special education students have slipped to the 41st percentile, and white students rank at the 47th percentile. Attendance has improved sharply, from 31.7% chronic absenteeism in 2020–21 to 16.4% in 2024–25. Sixth-grade math proficiency also jumped roughly 27 points in two years, evidence that Central can make rapid progress. Applying that same momentum to reading would put the school well within reach of the region's top performers.

502

Students ?

16.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

Community Eligibility

All students receive free meals (2024-25) ?

883 Zephyr Rd
Dobson, NC 27017-7707

(336) 386-4018

District: Surry County Schools

Students who attend Central Middle usually attend:

High:	Surry Central High
	Surry Early College

Feeder schools for Central Middle:

Elementary:	Copeland Elementary
	Dobson Elementary
	Mountain Park Elementary
	Rockford Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

56.2%

Hispanic:

39.6%

Two or more races:

2.4%

See top rated North Carolina middle schools

Compare Central Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 49th percentile in 2025 → 58th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 58th (2026) from a 49th-percentile low (2025)

✓Above the North Carolina median (58th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school60%

District avg64%

North Carolina avg58%

325^th of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 42%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to top 42% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

106^th of 246Surry 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	57.7	325 of 778	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	48.6	396 of 773	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.1	374 of 793	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.5	367 of 784	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.5	335 of 786	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	69.1	206 of 741	72.2%	★★★★☆
2019	59.9	288 of 737	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.2	254 of 691	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.4	222 of 694	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2016	70.2	180 of 692	74.0%	★★★★☆
2015	68.0	206 of 705	70.8%	★★★★☆
2014	57.9	246 of 627	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	64.6	199 of 673	70.4%	★★★★☆
2012	70.8	188 of 662	71.6%	★★★★☆
2011	76.2	129 of 648	80.1%	★★★★☆
2010	75.9	129 of 640	79.8%	★★★★☆
2009	81.8	76 of 630	87.9%	★★★★☆
2008	78.0	108 of 620	82.6%	★★★★☆
2007	75.0	111 of 606	81.7%	★★★★☆
2006	76.9	93 of 598	84.4%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	59.4	99 of 449	78.0%	★★★★☆
2021	51.4	171 of 478	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.3	168 of 504	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.1	117 of 475	75.4%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	48.5	145 of 363	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	33.9	246 of 371	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.3	239 of 356	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.3	215 of 318	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.0	161 of 312	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	71.4	19 of 236	91.9%	★★★★★
2019	54.2	58 of 211	72.5%	★★★★☆
2018	69.9	20 of 151	86.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	54.8	321 of 731	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	49.8	362 of 733	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.4	354 of 738	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.8	354 of 731	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.4	329 of 733	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.0	224 of 706	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.2	281 of 684	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.0	253 of 656	61.4%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	77.1	11 of 465	97.6%	★★★★★
2024	60.9	198 of 461	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.8	119 of 452	73.7%	★★★★☆
2022	60.6	193 of 450	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	77.4	29 of 448	93.5%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	56.9	205 of 566	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	48.2	277 of 562	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.6	316 of 564	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.4	369 of 553	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	48.5	267 of 541	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	71.5	80 of 522	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	68.2	103 of 493	79.1%	★★★★☆
2018	68.6	100 of 472	78.8%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	66.9	173 of 725	76.1%	★★★★☆
2025	56.7	268 of 729	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.7	229 of 743	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.6	264 of 735	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.6	221 of 689	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	85.4	39 of 633	93.8%	★★★★★
2019	72.7	118 of 639	81.5%	★★★★☆
2018	79.0	67 of 604	88.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.5	305 of 736	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.0	397 of 733	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.6	348 of 751	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.0	355 of 747	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.4	317 of 748	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	71.3	177 of 711	75.1%	★★★★☆
2019	56.9	296 of 697	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.2	249 of 665	62.6%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	37.9	295 of 500	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	40.9	231 of 478	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.9	168 of 473	64.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	47.4	340 of 644	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	35.4	445 of 649	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.9	379 of 652	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.3	365 of 656	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	44.8	367 of 658	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.2	247 of 632	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	39.7	399 of 624	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	47.2	331 of 596	44.5%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Gifted and Talented (2026)98th percentile+39 vs school

Disabled (2022)78th percentile+21 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile+18 vs school

Hispanic (2026)64th percentile+6 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)60th percentile~ school

Male (2026)59th percentile~ school

Female (2026)56th percentile~ school

White (2026)47th percentile-11 vs school

Special Education (2026)41st percentile-17 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science67%~ state avg

Mathematics66%+10 vs state

Reading52%-4 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central Middle

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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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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
Central Middle	Public	6-8	883 Zephyr Rd	Dobson	27017	Surry County	Surry County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 386-4018	502	31	16.2	—	282 (56.2%)	3 (0.6%)	199 (39.6%)	4 (0.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.4%)	57.7	325^th of 778 public middle schools	58.2%		48.6	396^th of 773 public middle schools	48.8%	71	67.7	62.0	69.5	49.4	53.1	53.9	66.9	$8,754	$900	$7,854
Meadowview Magnet Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	1282 McKinney Road	Mount Airy	27030	Surry County	Surry County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(336) 789-0276	318	24	13.0	—	197 (61.9%)	11 (3.5%)	85 (26.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.5%)	47.1	421^st of 778 public middle schools	45.9%		45.6	428^th of 773 public middle schools	44.6%	7	57.0	43.9	52.1	51.0	54.2	57.3	67.7	$10,579	$1,000	$9,579
J Sam Gentry Middle	Public	6-8	1915 W Pine Street	Mount Airy	27030	Surry County	Surry County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 786-4155	320	22	14.4	—	224 (70.0%)	5 (1.6%)	80 (25.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.1%)	64.8	250^th of 778 public middle schools	67.9%		52.1	365^th of 773 public middle schools	52.8%	115	64.7	74.5	62.6	52.1	51.9	65.2	75.7	$9,877	$999	$8,878
Mount Airy Middle	Public	6-8	249 Hamburg Street	Mount Airy	27030	Surry County	Mount Airy City Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 789-9021	395	31	12.7	—	234 (59.2%)	24 (6.1%)	102 (25.8%)	11 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (6.1%)	49	406^th of 778 public middle schools	47.8%		56.7	305^th of 773 public middle schools	60.5%	101	60.0	53.8	57.4	47.0	47.0	52.5	71.6	$10,309	$806	$9,503
Elkin Middle	Public	6-8	300 Elk Spur St	Elkin	28621	Surry County	Elkin City Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 835-3175	193	14	13.6	49.7%	132 (68.4%)	4 (2.1%)	44 (22.8%)	6 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.6%)	80.1	130^th of 778 public middle schools	83.3%		58	297^th of 773 public middle schools	61.6%	167	81.3	62.0	65.3	71.4	68.5	67.3	86.7	$9,240	$218	$9,022
Starmount Middle	Public	6-9	2626 Longtown Rd	Boonville	27011	Yadkin County	Yadkin County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 551-1160	502	27	18.7	—	307 (61.2%)	8 (1.6%)	149 (29.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (7.4%)	32.4	535^th of 778 public middle schools	31.2%		40.3	469^th of 773 public middle schools	39.3%	66	51.7	45.1	45.2	43.7	38.3	52.1	58.2	$9,584	$874	$8,710
Pilot Mountain Middle	Public	6-8	543 Old Westfield Road	Pilot Mountain	27041	Surry County	Surry County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 368-2641	401	26	15.5	—	320 (79.8%)	7 (1.7%)	49 (12.2%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.5%)	85.6	88^th of 778 public middle schools	88.7%		88.8	62^nd of 773 public middle schools	92.0%	26	69.9	84.4	83.9	64.2	74.8	72.0	87.3	$9,172	$1,003	$8,168
East Wilkes Middle School	Public	6-8	2202 Macedonia Church Road	Ronda	28670	Wilkes County	Wilkes County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 651-4300	346	25	13.6	—	285 (82.4%)	2 (0.6%)	39 (11.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.8%)	59.2	311^th of 778 public middle schools	60.0%		67.5	226^th of 773 public middle schools	70.8%	85	56.2	63.6	47.7	52.9	66.4	64.2	71.6	$9,876	$1,000	$8,876

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Middle

What district is Central Middle in?

Surry County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Central Middle?

Students at Central Middle are 56% White, 40% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Is Central Middle a good school?

Central Middle ranks 325^th of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Central Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 502 students attended Central Middle.

What high school do graduates of Central Middle attend?

Students who attend Central Middle usually go on to attend Surry Central High

Rate Central Middle!

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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.