Top Rankings
Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 6,220 students in Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Rowan-Salisbury School School District have a Graduation Rate of 81%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Rowan Co Early College, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
32 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
18,110 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
1,098 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
District Rank
Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 84% has increased from 83% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#268 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
51%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
50%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
63%

Graduation Rate
84%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.70
# American Indian Students
46 Students
5,772 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
146 Students
21,293 Students
% Asian Students
1%
4%
# Hispanic Students
4,238 Students
115,235 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
20%
# Black Students
3,549 Students
138,700 Students
% Black Students
20%
24%
# White Students
8,772 Students
254,801 Students
% White Students
48%
45%
# Hawaiian Students
4 Students
765 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,355 Students
30,969 Students
% of Two or more races Students
8%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
213
491
# Students in K Grade:
1,235
6,922
# Students in 1st Grade:
1,308
6,949
# Students in 2nd Grade:
1,445
7,207
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1,268
7,125
# Students in 4th Grade:
1,270
7,196
# Students in 5th Grade:
1,331
7,763
# Students in 6th Grade:
1,266
11,146
# Students in 7th Grade:
1,277
12,024
# Students in 8th Grade:
1,288
12,284
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,802
137,976
# Students in 10th Grade:
1,529
126,349
# Students in 11th Grade:
1,490
117,582
# Students in 12th Grade:
1,388
104,750
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,187 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,154 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$221 MM
$17,307 MM

Spending
$220 MM
$17,964 MM

Revenue / Student
$12,187
$11,187

Spending / Student
$12,154
$11,612

Best Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District Public High Schools (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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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
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.