Serving 590 students in grades 6-8, Moore Square Middle School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 71% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 74% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 590 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 47%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in NC
- Math Proficiency: 71% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 74% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 80-84% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Moore Square Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Student Attention
School Overview
Moore Square Middle School's student population of 590 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 51 teachers has grown by 13% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
590 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
51 teachers
School Rankings
Moore Square Middle School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Moore Square Middle School is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#310 out of 2617 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
80-84%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
3%
4%
Hispanic
11%
21%
Black
27%
25%
White
53%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
24%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moore Square Middle School's ranking?
Moore Square Middle School is ranked #310 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Moore Square Middle School often compared to?
Moore Square Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Carnage Middle School, Ligon Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
71% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
How many students attend Moore Square Middle School?
590 students attend Moore Square Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of Moore Square Middle School students are White, 27% of students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Moore Square Middle School?
Moore Square Middle School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Moore Square Middle School offer ?
Moore Square Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Moore Square Middle School part of?
Moore Square Middle School is part of Wake County Schools School District.
In what neighborhood is Moore Square Middle School located?
Moore Square Middle School is located in the Downtown neighborhood of Raleigh, NC. There are 12 other public schools located in Downtown.
School Reviews
5 10/27/2023
This school has lots of electives which basically, is the main part of it. The school offers over 100 electives and half of your day is spent in elective classes. All the kids here are super nice and the teachers will 100% help you out if you need help with a problem or anything like that. The school has anti-bullying and anti-abuse with guidance counselors every couple of weeks to make sure everyone is doing ok. The music class often has concerts around the school or in a separate building. The art program has a super nice teacher and he makes it really easy to understand everything. Overall this school is really fun to be at and I am exited to go everyday.
4 6/11/2021
Well, because I have just entered this school and I'm online because of covid I might not know too much but what I can say is that the students are very open-minded and nice. The teachers, for the most part, are great. You can ask questions without being judged. The only downside is sometimes and the classes can be too much and you sometimes just crash or burnout, but I think that can happen with any school not just this one, plus it gets you ready for the work your going to have in the future and makes you rethink your time management skills. overall great school. I'll see what I think next year.
5 11/2/2020
i have only been at this school for 2 years, my seventh and 8th grade year. This school has been so much fun to be at and everyone here is very nice and accepting to everything it seems like. They offer lots of Sports electives which I personally love because I Am a very athletic person. But they offer like a class for each individual sport which i haven't seen any other school do before. This school is a very welcoming school and all the teachers for the most part are very nice and helpful. I could definitely recommend this school for kids entering middle school, or even just transferring schools.
2 12/27/2018
most of the electives are good, but the rest of the classes? Nope. this is coming from an 8th grade student fyi
4 2/25/2017
When you enter Moore Square Magnet, you are greeted by students and staff alike before even entering the front office where you are certain to receive a smile (I get hugs) and warm greetings from the Data Manager and the Administrative Assistant. The Administrative team - Dr. Jordan/Mr. Squires/Ms. Mondora - are quite responsive, timely, and reflective in their day to day professional practices. Students have a number of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities that are academic or sports related. My son had competed in Science Olympiad, the Spelling Bee, the Geography Bee, and even tried out for the Soccer team. Every school has its strengths and challenges, however the difference at Moore Square is the receptivity Adminstrators have to parent and student voices - evidenced quite well by the very visible and supportive PTSA. I have recommended this school and will continue to so do based on size, location, staff capacity to build relationships with children, and the response level of the Administration team.
2 1/10/2011
Academically NOT challenging. Extra-curricular programs only held sometimes. Art and Music teachers are AWESOME! Front office personnel rude and unhelpful..my many phone calls for various information or problems were never returned. Adminstration was also only so-so in solving bullying issues. My son's teaching team sent ZERO newsletters home in an entire semester!Lots of bullying problems..children disrespectful and rude. Teachers admitted to me in a conference that discipline was their main focus, because the children were so difficult. Escaped after one semester!
Review Moore Square Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.