Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 28078

ZIP code 28078 serves the Huntersville area of North Carolina and contains two public middle schools for grades 6–8 within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, but the two schools tell very different stories. Francis Bradley Middle is the stronger-performing school, enrolling about 1,089 students and earning a 3-star rating with a statewide rank in the 63rd percentile for 2025–2026. By contrast, J. M. Alexander Middle enrolls about 799 students and holds a 1-star rating, ranking in the 18th percentile statewide.

Looking at 2025–2026 test results, Francis Bradley Middle generally meets or exceeds district and state averages in core subjects, such as 6th-grade math (72% proficient vs. 61.5% district and 59.2% state) and 8th-grade science (68.8% vs. 67.7% district). J. M. Alexander Middle trails considerably, with 7th-grade math at 32.9% proficiency compared with the 57.8% district average and 8th-grade science at 43.5% versus 67.7% district-wide. The demographic divide is striking: 99.62% of students at J. M. Alexander Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared with 46.83% at Francis Bradley Middle. Chronic absenteeism is also much higher there (34.9% vs. 24.1%), likely contributing to the achievement gap. Both schools have similar student-teacher ratios and per-student spending, suggesting student demographics and attendance play a major role in outcomes.

There are encouraging signs worth noting. J. M. Alexander Middle made strong year-over-year gains in 6th grade, jumping from 32.6% to 51.3% in math and from 31.6% to 52.1% in reading, though 7th and 8th grade scores remain well below district and state averages. Meanwhile, Francis Bradley Middle saw its 8th-grade math proficiency drop from 59.6% to 47.4%, falling below district and state averages even as its lower-grade math scores stayed strong. For parents exploring choices in 28078, Francis Bradley Middle offers the more consistently strong academic record, while J. M. Alexander Middle faces significant challenges but is showing real momentum with its youngest students.