Summary:
Zip code 28043 is served by a single middle school: Chase Middle School, which enrolls about 484 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of Rutherford County Schools. Located in Forest City, North Carolina, the school serves a very high-poverty population, with 97.11% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The district ranks in the 71st percentile of North Carolina districts and earns 4 stars. Chase Middle School holds a solid 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, although its state percentile slipped from the 65th in 2023–2024 to the 56th in 2025–2026.
Academically, Chase Middle School delivers mixed results. On the most recent state tests, 7th graders outperformed the state in both reading (66.9% proficient vs. 56.3% statewide) and math (61.8% vs. 56.2%). The school’s 8th-grade science results are also a bright spot, at 72.5% proficiency, beating the district (66.6%) and the state (68.6%). However, 8th-grade math remains a major concern: only 38.8% of students scored proficient, nearly 15 points lower than the state average of 53.0%. That said, the school improved from last year in 7th-grade math, 8th-grade math, 7th-grade reading, 8th-grade reading, and science. The only notable drop was in 6th-grade math, which fell from 70.0% to 56.8%.
The biggest challenge facing the school is chronic absenteeism. At 38.3%, Chase Middle School’s rate is much higher than the state average of 24.2% and essentially matches the district’s 38.1%. Since regular attendance is key to learning, this likely pulls down achievement, especially in the upper grades. For parents considering this school, Chase Middle School offers a strong 7th-grade program and excellent science instruction, but they should be aware of the high poverty level and the need for extra support in 8th-grade math.
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