H J MacDonald Middle

Summary:

H J MacDonald Middle is a public middle school located in New Bern, North Carolina, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 712 students. The school is part of the Craven County Board of Education district, which is ranked 111 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

H J MacDonald Middle has a relatively diverse student population, with 34.27% White, 34.69% African American, 11.52% Hispanic, and 12.64% Asian students. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better in EOG (End-of-Grade) tests, is generally below the Craven County and North Carolina state averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 6th-grade math proficiency rate was 57.1%, compared to the Craven County average of 52.6% and the state average of 54.3%. Additionally, H J MacDonald Middle has a relatively high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 16.3 in 2020-2021 to 19.4 in 2022-2023, and an exceptionally high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 99.58% to 99.61% in the past three school years.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Tucker Creek Middle, H J MacDonald Middle generally underperforms academically. The school's performance also varies significantly across different student subgroups, with the school ranking relatively well for White students but much lower for Asian students and students with disabilities. Additionally, H J MacDonald Middle's spending per student ($8,411 in 2018-2019) is lower than the nearby Grover C. Fields Middle ($9,793) and Tucker Creek Middle ($9,904) schools.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 3127 Elizabeth Avenue
       New Bern, NC  28562-2509


(252) 514-6450

District: Craven County Board of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
423rd of 793 North Carolina Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,411 Help


Students who attend H J MacDonald Middle usually attend:

High:    New Bern High

Feeder schools for H J MacDonald Middle:

Elementary:    Albert H Bangert Elementary
    Ben D Quinn Elementary
    J T Barber Elementary
    Trent Park Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  19.4 Help
Number of students:  712

Racial breakdown:

African American:
34.7%
White:
34.3%
Asian:
12.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details H J MacDonald Middle ranks worse than 53.3% of middle schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 3rd among 5 ranked middle schools in the Craven County Board of Education School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 46.95. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details H J MacDonald Middle has the largest middle school student body size in the Craven County Board of Education School District. Student population at H J MacDonald Middle is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (34.7%), White (34.3%), Asian (12.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Craven County Board of Education School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at H J MacDonald Middle is 19.4. 3 middle schools in the Craven County Board of Education School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare H J MacDonald Middle employs 36.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at H J MacDonald Middle is $8,411, which is the lowest among 5 middle schools in the Craven County Board of Education School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

H J MacDonald Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks H J MacDonald Middle 423rd of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See H J MacDonald Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Craven County Board of Education:

SchoolDigger ranks Craven County Board of Education 111th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for H J MacDonald Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 53.35 327th 598 45.3%
2007 63.71 240th 606 60.4%
2008 64.34 235th 620 62.1%
2009 64.96 237th 630 62.4%
2010 59.49 314th 640 50.9%
2011 62.97 270th 648 58.3%
2012 59.49 314th 662 52.6%
2013 66.94 181st 673 73.1%
2014 54.28 269th 627 57.1%
2015 60.95 267th 705 62.1%
2016 61.79 257th 692 62.9%
2017 70.26 190th 694 72.6%
2018 47.79 387th 691 44.0%
2019 36.45 498th 737 32.4%
2021 44.19 401st 741 45.9%
2022 42.27 449th 786 42.9%
2023 45.52 409th 784 47.8%
2024 46.95 423rd 793 46.7%
See the entire list of North Carolina Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.14 181st 221 18.1%
2019 52.52 99th 237 58.2%
2021 64.48 61st 248 75.4%
2022 48.79 135th 283 52.3%
2023 38.89 195th 302 35.4%
2024 37.89 194th 306 36.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 57.42 43rd 236 81.8%
2022 47.24 129th 312 58.7%
2023 62.44 55th 318 82.7%
2024 63.86 62nd 356 82.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 37.59 267th 473 43.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.28 277th 604 54.1%
2019 41.07 402nd 639 37.1%
2021 43.24 340th 633 46.3%
2022 36.86 442nd 689 35.8%
2023 39.94 445th 735 39.5%
2024 39.48 453rd 743 39.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 56.76 25th 71 64.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.82 390th 656 40.5%
2019 35.94 476th 684 30.4%
2021 45.52 367th 706 48.0%
2022 41.69 426th 733 41.9%
2023 42.11 418th 731 42.8%
2024 45.08 409th 738 44.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.16 335th 475 29.5%
2019 23.52 451st 504 10.5%
2021 48.75 198th 478 58.6%
2022 43.67 201st 449 55.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 18.43 400th 416 3.8%
2021 39.05 342nd 448 23.7%
2022 29.79 412th 450 8.4%
2023 24.57 422nd 452 6.6%
2024 52.57 283rd 461 38.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.91 30th 45 33.3%
2019 30.76 37th 48 22.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.07 383rd 665 42.4%
2019 33.88 492nd 697 29.4%
2021 41.78 402nd 711 43.5%
2022 41.49 439th 748 41.3%
2023 46.59 383rd 747 48.7%
2024 46.49 398th 751 47.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.19 72nd 95 24.2%
2019 20.55 93rd 102 8.8%
2021 23.43 83rd 99 16.2%
2022 16.74 95th 109 12.8%
2023 20.69 93rd 110 15.5%
2024 16.32 96th 110 12.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.05 309th 494 37.4%
2019 28.80 414th 519 20.2%
2021 35.89 341st 533 36.0%
2022 39.16 313th 550 43.1%
2023 39.52 323rd 559 42.2%
2024 34.18 376th 560 32.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.22 224th 472 52.5%
2019 32.43 371st 493 24.7%
2021 60.44 153rd 522 70.7%
2022 47.09 277th 541 48.8%
2023 44.26 301st 553 45.6%
2024 45.43 308th 564 45.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at H J MacDonald Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.79 203rd 596 65.9%
2019 46.16 354th 624 43.3%
2021 55.78 252nd 632 60.1%
2022 51.00 313th 658 52.4%
2023 61.20 237th 656 63.9%
2024 67.53 188th 652 71.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

H J MacDonald Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for H J MacDonald Middle

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 671 518 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1190
1989 651 525 4 2 4 n/a n/a 0 1186
1990 664 574 1 4 0 n/a n/a 1 1244
1991 682 589 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 1277
1992 468 261 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 735
1993 501 277 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 779
1994 489 284 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 774
1995 498 289 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 793
1996 498 289 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 793
1997 532 287 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 828
1998 527 283 3 12 1 n/a n/a 0 826
1999 487 278 4 9 1 n/a n/a 0 779
2000 469 275 2 9 1 n/a n/a 0 756
2001 473 269 2 11 2 n/a n/a 0 757
2002 521 290 3 21 2 n/a n/a 0 837
2003 521 290 3 21 2 n/a n/a 0 837
2004 542 305 3 15 3 n/a n/a 0 868
2005 530 296 7 24 1 n/a n/a 0 858
2006 474 311 10 25 1 n/a n/a 0 821
2007 432 290 8 26 0 n/a n/a 12 768
2008 429 291 11 27 3 n/a n/a 12 773
2009 464 317 9 26 3 n/a n/a 0 819
2010 518 306 8 29 2 n/a n/a 0 863
2011 521 268 7 52 1 1 28 0 878
2012 513 268 12 55 3 0 34 0 885
2013 520 272 14 65 2 0 30 0 903
2014 516 273 17 54 0 0 34 0 894
2015 547 261 22 63 3 0 41 0 937
2016 283 307 67 65 2 1 34 0 759
2017 296 321 74 52 1 1 43 0 788
2018 313 325 79 57 0 1 38 0 813
2019 314 341 94 59 2 0 45 0 855
2020 291 335 93 79 2 2 47 0 849
2021 256 310 78 68 2 3 51 0 768
2022 248 279 81 80 0 3 51 0 742
2023 244 247 90 82 1 0 48 0 712

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at H J MacDonald Middle

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1190 76.0 15.6 33.6
1989 1186 77.0 15.4 43.4
1990 1244 79.0 15.7 39.6
1991 1277 82.0 15.5 38.6
1992 735 47.0 15.6 52.8
1993 779 55.0 14.2 32.6
1994 774 55.0 14.1 33.5
1995 793 59.0 13.4 38.8
1996 793 59.0 13.4 38.8
1997 828 56.0 14.8 36.8
1998 826 59.0 14.0 34.7
1999 779 59.0 13.2 40.8
2000 756 59.0 12.8 41.9
2001 757 54.0 14.0 38
2002 837 55.0 15.2 43.2
2003 837 55.0 15.2 43.2
2004 868 51.0 17.0 45.5
2005 858 54.0 15.9 48
2006 821 55.0 14.9 49.6
2007 768 52.9 14.5 50.9
2008 773 52.1 14.8 47.8
2009 819 52.2 15.7 44.1
2010 863 49.8 17.3 43.7
2011 878 49.9 17.5 46.9
2012 885 49.2 17.9 50.2
2013 903 51.0 17.7 47.5
2014 894 53.0 16.8 44
2015 937 51.0 18.3 42.8
2016 759 54.0 14.0 63
2017 788 51.7 15.2 60.2
2018 813 45.0 18.0 60.4
2019 855 48.5 17.6 59.3
2020 849 46.6 18.2 99.6
2021 768 47.0 16.3 99.6
2022 742 42.1 17.5 99.6
2023 712 36.5 19.4 99.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio H J MacDonald Middle

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1190 76.0 15.6 33.6
1989 1186 77.0 15.4 43.4
1990 1244 79.0 15.7 39.6
1991 1277 82.0 15.5 38.6
1992 735 47.0 15.6 52.8
1993 779 55.0 14.2 32.6
1994 774 55.0 14.1 33.5
1995 793 59.0 13.4 38.8
1996 793 59.0 13.4 38.8
1997 828 56.0 14.8 36.8
1998 826 59.0 14.0 34.7
1999 779 59.0 13.2 40.8
2000 756 59.0 12.8 41.9
2001 757 54.0 14.0 38
2002 837 55.0 15.2 43.2
2003 837 55.0 15.2 43.2
2004 868 51.0 17.0 45.5
2005 858 54.0 15.9 48
2006 821 55.0 14.9 49.6
2007 768 52.9 14.5 50.9
2008 773 52.1 14.8 47.8
2009 819 52.2 15.7 44.1
2010 863 49.8 17.3 43.7
2011 878 49.9 17.5 46.9
2012 885 49.2 17.9 50.2
2013 903 51.0 17.7 47.5
2014 894 53.0 16.8 44
2015 937 51.0 18.3 42.8
2016 759 54.0 14.0 63
2017 788 51.7 15.2 60.2
2018 813 45.0 18.0 60.4
2019 855 48.5 17.6 59.3
2020 849 46.6 18.2 99.6
2021 768 47.0 16.3 99.6
2022 742 42.1 17.5 99.6
2023 712 36.5 19.4 99.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for H J MacDonald Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $928 (11.0%) $7,483 (89.0%) $8,411

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on H J MacDonald Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 498th of 737 Middle schoolsRanks 409th of 784 Middle schools
 15.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (H J MacDonald Middle)56.865.6
 8.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Craven County Board of Education)55.556
 0.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.852.3
 6.5%
6th Grade Reading (H J MacDonald Middle)58.950.2
 8.7%
   6th Grade Reading (Craven County Board of Education)62.953
 9.9%
   6th Grade Reading (North Carolina)6049.3
 10.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (H J MacDonald Middle)39.934.7
 5.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Craven County Board of Education)43.443.9
 0.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.450.1
 8.3%
7th Grade Reading (H J MacDonald Middle)5040
 10%
   7th Grade Reading (Craven County Board of Education)53.551.7
 1.8%
   7th Grade Reading (North Carolina)58.850.2
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (H J MacDonald Middle)3131.6
 0.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Craven County Board of Education)36.142
 5.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)52.644.8
 7.8%
8th Grade Reading (H J MacDonald Middle)48.452
 3.6%
   8th Grade Reading (Craven County Board of Education)5052.9
 2.9%
   8th Grade Reading (North Carolina)55.651
 4.6%
8th Grade Science (H J MacDonald Middle)72.568.9
 3.6%
   8th Grade Science (Craven County Board of Education)76.670.9
 5.7%
   8th Grade Science (North Carolina)78.670.3
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students855712
 16.7%
African American341247
 27.6%
American Indian21
 50%
Asian9490
 4.3%
Hispanic5982
 39%
Pacific Islander00
White314244
 22.3%
Two or More Races4548
 6.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients59.3%99.6%
 40.3%


Schools Near H J MacDonald Middle









Frequently Asked Questions about H J MacDonald Middle

Students who attend H J MacDonald Middle usually go on to attend New Bern High

H J MacDonald Middle ranks 423rd of 793 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at H J MacDonald Middle are 35% African American, 34% White, 13% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 712 students attended H J MacDonald Middle.


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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.





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