Approximately 58% of public high school students in North Carolina are eligible for free lunch (2025).
The public high schools with the highest eligible for free lunch are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public high school with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in North Carolina is A L Brown High School with 100% of students eligible.
Eligible for Free Lunch Range: 100%
100%
Avg. Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Public High Schools Eligible For Free Lunch in North Carolina (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Eligible for Free Lunch
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
A L Brown High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
415 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Kannapolis, NC 28083
(704) 932-6125
Kannapolis, NC 28083
(704) 932-6125
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Alexander Central High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
223 School Drive
Taylorsville, NC 28681
(828) 632-7063
Taylorsville, NC 28681
(828) 632-7063
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Anson Co. Early College High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
177 Ledbetter Street
Polkton, NC 28135
(704) 272-5396
Polkton, NC 28135
(704) 272-5396
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Ashe County Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
363 Campus Dr
West Jefferson, NC 28694
(336) 846-1881
West Jefferson, NC 28694
(336) 846-1881
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Bartlett Yancey High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
466 Main Street E
Yanceyville, NC 27379
(336) 694-4212
Yanceyville, NC 27379
(336) 694-4212
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Beaufort Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
5337 Hwy 264 East, Building 10
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Ben L. Smith High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
2407 South Holden Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 294-7300
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 294-7300
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Blue Ridge Early College
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-13
95 Bobcat Dr
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Brunswick County Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
50 College Road Ne
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 756-5030
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 756-5030
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Carver High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
3545 Carver School Road
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
200 Ravensford Drive
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-5030
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-5030
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Citi High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
846 Hammond St
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 462-2842
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 462-2842
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Cochrane Collegiate Academy
(Math: 22% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
6200 Starhaven Dr
Charlotte, NC 28215
(980) 343-6460
Charlotte, NC 28215
(980) 343-6460
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Columbus Career And College Academy
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
4564 Chadbourn Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 788-6281
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 788-6281
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Concord High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
481 Burrage Road Ne
Concord, NC 28025
(704) 260-6000
Concord, NC 28025
(704) 260-6000
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Crest High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
800 Old Boiling Springs
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Duplin Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
212 James Sprunt Dr
Kenansville, NC 28349
(910) 296-1136
Kenansville, NC 28349
(910) 296-1136
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
E E Smith High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1800 Seabrook Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 483-0153
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 483-0153
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
East Duplin High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
394 North Nc Highway 111
Beulaville, NC 28518
(910) 298-4535
Beulaville, NC 28518
(910) 298-4535
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
East Mecklenburg High School
Magnet School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
6800 Monroe Rd
Charlotte, NC 28212
(980) 343-6430
Charlotte, NC 28212
(980) 343-6430
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Eastern Guilford High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
415 Peeden Drive
Gibsonville, NC 27249
(336) 449-6311
Gibsonville, NC 27249
(336) 449-6311
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Eastern Wayne High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1135 New Hope Road
Goldsboro, NC 27534
(919) 751-7120
Goldsboro, NC 27534
(919) 751-7120
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Edgecombe Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
2009 West Wilson St
Tarboro, NC 27886
(252) 618-6554
Tarboro, NC 27886
(252) 618-6554
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Enka High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
475 Enka Lake Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5000
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5000
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Erwin High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
60 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Fike High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
500 Harrison Dr N
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7905
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7905
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Freedom High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
511 Independence Boulevard
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1310
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1310
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Garinger High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1100 Eastway Dr
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-6450
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-6450
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Greene Central High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
140 School Drive
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-3814
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-3814
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Greene Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
818 Highway 91
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-9044
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-9044
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Harding University High School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
2001 Alleghany St
Charlotte, NC 28208
(980) 343-6007
Charlotte, NC 28208
(980) 343-6007
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Haywood Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Henderson County Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
300 East Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 697-4561
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 697-4561
Rank: #1 - 1371. - 137.
Hendersonville High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1 Bearcat Boulevard
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828) 697-4802
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828) 697-4802
Show 100 more public schools in NC (out of 734 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the North Carolina average of public high schools students eligible for free lunch?
The North Carolina average of public high schools students eligible for free lunch is 58%% for 2025.
What are the public high schools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in North Carolina?
The best top ranked public high schools in North Carolina include A L Brown High School, Alexander Central High School and Anson Co. Early College High School.
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