For the 2025 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 19,315 students in Rowan County, NC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,551 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Rowan County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Rowan County, NC are Rowan Co Early College, Cool Spring Elementary School and Carson High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rowan County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Rowan County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Rowan County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rowan Co Early College
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S
Salisbury, NC 28145
(704) 216-3873
Salisbury, NC 28145
(704) 216-3873
Grades: 9-12
| 235 students
Rank: #22.
Cool Spring Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1969 Mocksville Hwy
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 873-4949
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 873-4949
Grades: PK-5
| 422 students
Rank: #33.
Carson High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
290 Kress Venture Dr
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 855-7297
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 855-7297
Grades: 9-12
| 1,135 students
Rank: #44.
Faith Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
420 North Main Street
Faith, NC 28041
(704) 603-8437
Faith, NC 28041
(704) 603-8437
Grades: K-9
| 783 students
Rank: #55.
Bostian Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4245 Old Beatty Ford Rd
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-2322
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-2322
Grades: K-5
| 339 students
Rank: #66.
Rockwell Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
114 Link St
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-3145
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-3145
Grades: PK-5
| 495 students
Rank: #77.
Mt Ulla Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
13155 Nc 801 Hwy
Mount Ulla, NC 28125
(704) 278-2750
Mount Ulla, NC 28125
(704) 278-2750
Grades: K-5
| 246 students
Rank: #88.
Landis Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
801 West Ryder Ave
Landis, NC 28088
(704) 857-3111
Landis, NC 28088
(704) 857-3111
Grades: K-5
| 621 students
Rank: #99.
Millbridge Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
155 Ed Deal Rd
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 855-5591
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 855-5591
Grades: K-5
| 551 students
Rank: #1010.
East Rowan High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
175 St Luke's Church Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 279-5232
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 279-5232
Grades: 9-12
| 1,072 students
Rank: #1111.
West Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
480 Mimosa St
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Grades: PK-5
| 618 students
Rank: #1212.
South Rowan High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1655 Patterson St
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-1161
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-1161
Grades: 9-12
| 989 students
Rank: #1313.
Shive Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
655 Holshouser Rd
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-2899
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-2899
Grades: PK-5
| 447 students
Rank: #1414.
Morgan Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3860 Liberty Rd
Gold Hill, NC 28071
(704) 636-0169
Gold Hill, NC 28071
(704) 636-0169
Grades: PK-5
| 277 students
Rank: #1515.
Salisbury High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 Lincolnton Rd
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 636-1221
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 636-1221
Grades: 9-12
| 1,014 students
Rank: #1616.
West Rowan High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8050 Nc 801 Hwy
Mount Ulla, NC 28125
(704) 278-9233
Mount Ulla, NC 28125
(704) 278-9233
Grades: 9-12
| 1,105 students
Rank: #1717.
China Grove Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1013 North Main St
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-7038
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-7038
Grades: 6-8
| 562 students
Rank: #1818.
Corriher Lipe Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 West Rice St
Landis, NC 28088
(704) 857-7946
Landis, NC 28088
(704) 857-7946
Grades: 6-8
| 460 students
Rank: #1919.
Granite Quarry Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
118 South Walnut St
Granite Quarry, NC 28072
(704) 279-2154
Granite Quarry, NC 28072
(704) 279-2154
Grades: PK-5
| 541 students
Rank: #2020.
China Grove Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
514 South Franklin St
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-7708
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-7708
Grades: PK-5
| 636 students
Rank: #2121.
North Rowan High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 North Whitehead Ave
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 636-4420
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 636-4420
Grades: 9-12
| 592 students
Rank: #2222.
West Rowan Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5925 Statesville Blvd
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 633-4775
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 633-4775
Grades: 6-8
| 716 students
Rank: #2323.
Erwin Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
170 St Luke's Church Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 279-7265
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 279-7265
Grades: 6-8
| 812 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Isenberg Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2800 Jake Alexander Blvd N
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3009
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3009
Grades: PK-5
| 486 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Summit Virtual Academy
(Math: 18% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1636 Parkview Circle
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 630-7274
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 630-7274
Grades: K-8
| 171 students
Rank: #2626.
Southeast Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1570 Peeler Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 638-5561
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 638-5561
Grades: 6-8
| 630 students
Rank: #2727.
Knollwood Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3075 Shue Rd
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 857-3400
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 857-3400
Grades: PK-5
| 546 students
Rank: #2828.
Overton Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1825 Park Rd W
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 639-3000
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 639-3000
Grades: K-5
| 271 students
Rank: #2929.
Hurley Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
625 Hurley School Rd
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3038
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3038
Grades: PK-5
| 524 students
Rank: #3030.
Henderson High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1215 North Main St
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 639-3134
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 639-3134
Grades: 6-12
| 78 students
Rank: #3131.
North Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
600 Charles St
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 639-3042
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 639-3042
Grades: PK-5
| 413 students
Rank: #3232.
North Rowan Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
512 Charles St
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 639-3018
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 639-3018
Grades: 6-8
| 564 students
Rank: #3333.
Koontz Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
685 East Ritchie Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 216-0273
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 216-0273
Grades: PK-5
| 568 students
Rank: #3434.
Dole Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
465 Choate Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 639-3046
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 639-3046
Grades: PK-5
| 396 students
Rowan County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
107 School St
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Grades: K-5
| 267 students
925 North Enochville Ave
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 933-2534
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 933-2534
Grades: K-5
| 211 students
Essie Mae Kiser Foxx Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
729 N Long St
East Spencer, NC 28039
(704) 603-4460
East Spencer, NC 28039
(704) 603-4460
Grades: K-6
| 99 students
1000 School St
Faith, NC 28041
(704) 279-3195
Faith, NC 28041
(704) 279-3195
Grades: K-5
| 236 students
1625 Park Rd W
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 633-2922
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 633-2922
Grades: 6-8
| 514 students
1010 Airport Road
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 630-9200
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 630-9200
Grades: K-5
| 44 students
9055 School St
Woodleaf, NC 27054
(704) 278-2203
Woodleaf, NC 27054
(704) 278-2203
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Rowan County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Rowan County, NC include Rowan Co Early College, Cool Spring Elementary School and Carson High School.
How many public schools are located in Rowan County?
34 public schools are located in Rowan County.
What percentage of students in Rowan County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Rowan County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rowan County?
Rowan County public schools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rowan County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rowan County include: Erwin Middle School vs. Southeast Middle School, Rockwell Elementary School vs. Shive Elementary School, North Rowan Middle School vs. West Rowan Middle School
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
