The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 41% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Zebulon Middle
Zebulon Middle is a mid-sized public middle school serving grades six through eight in Zebulon, a fast-growing town on Wake County's eastern edge. The school's enrollment is substantial, with students distributed fairly evenly across the three grade levels. The student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with a majority of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school's state testing results show proficiency rates in the low-to-mid range. In English language arts, less than half the student body met proficiency benchmarks. Math proficiency was similar. Science proficiency was somewhat higher, though state testing data was not available for comparison across prior years. These results reflect a school where many students are working toward grade-level standards, and where there may be value in looking closely with the school about instructional supports, intervention programs, or areas of strength within these numbers that the testing snapshot alone may not capture.
Zebulon sits in the midst of rapid growth. The town has been ranked among North Carolina's fastest-growing municipalities, with new residential neighborhoods arriving as both townhouse communities and single-family subdivisions on the outer edges. The historic downtown, anchored by civic institutions like the library and Zebulon Elementary School, has seen investment in recent years, including new businesses like a distillery and bagpipe maker. This growth momentum is both an asset and a logistical factor: Wake County Schools recently approved a reassignment plan taking effect in the 2026-27 school year that affects Zebulon Middle along with other schools in the eastern part of the county, so families should expect the possibility of boundary changes.
The town's economy is rooted in a mix of employers. Pharmaceutical, food distribution, financial services, foam manufacturing, and healthcare employers anchor the landscape, alongside agriculture still present in the surrounding countryside. Housing is moderately priced relative to the broader Research Triangle region, with a mix of older homes in and near the downtown and newer construction in the subdivisions. The town is small enough that residents drive for most shopping and dining outside the downtown area, though publicly reported planning efforts are underway to expand bus transit connections to nearby communities and Raleigh.
Wake County Schools overall has been in a period of significant change. The district won voter approval for a major construction bond in 2022, funding five new schools and renovations to existing ones, paid for via a property tax increase. The district has also overhauled K through five reading instruction using the Science of Reading approach, with all early elementary teachers completing state-mandated training. Additionally, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, all middle and elementary school students must keep personal devices silenced and stored away throughout the day, a district-wide policy that replaces prior school-by-school variation.
One thing to note: the data did not include information on the school's special education enrollment, English learner enrollment, teacher staffing levels, discipline data, attendance rates, or course offerings. A parent might find it useful to contact the school directly to understand what intervention and support services are available for students not yet meeting proficiency, what languages are spoken by the student body, and what opportunities exist for enrichment or acceleration.
See more original research from School Decision →