Summary:
Zip code 28021 in Cherryville, NC, is served by a single middle school, John Chavis Middle School, which enrolls 412 students in grades 6–8 and operates within Gaston County Schools.
John Chavis stands out for its strong science and upper-grade math performance, especially given that 99.27% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Eighth-grade science is the school’s clear highlight, with 73.7% proficiency — topping the district by 8.1 points and the state by 5.1 points. Seventh-grade math (54.3%) and eighth-grade math (53.4%) also beat district averages and nearly match or exceed state averages. However, a notable grade-level gap exists: sixth graders lag badly, with only 46% proficient in math and 43.2% in reading, far below state averages of 59.2% and 54.8%. Seventh- and eighth-grade reading are closer to state levels but still trail, and eighth-grade reading dropped sharply from 58.7% to 50.4% year over year, making it a red flag for parents to monitor.
The school improved in 6 of 7 tested subject/grade combinations over the last year, including a strong +8.0 point jump in seventh-grade math and +4.9 in eighth-grade science. Yet chronic absenteeism is elevated at 27.0% versus 24.2% statewide, which may hinder progress. Statewide ranking has slipped from the 54th percentile (3 stars) to the 43rd percentile (2 stars), meaning gains are not keeping pace with other North Carolina schools. Overall, John Chavis offers real academic bright spots in science and 7th/8th grade math, but sixth-grade literacy and math, plus a worrisome drop in 8th-grade reading, are the areas that most need attention.
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