Approximately 63% of public high school students in North Carolina are eligible for free lunch (2026-27).
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 Anson High School, A L Brown High School, and Ashbrook High School, among others each with 100% of students eligible.
Eligible for Free Lunch Range: 100%
100%
Avg. Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Free Lunch Eligibility Trends
| Year | North Carolina (NC) Average | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72% | 50% |
| 2024 | 68% | 46% |
| 2023 | 57% | 48% |
| 2022 | 47% | 46% |
| 2021 | 49% | 47% |
| 2020 | 52% | 47% |
| 2019 | 52% | 47% |
| 2018 | 53% | 42% |
| 2017 | 53% | 42% |
| 2016 | 52% | 43% |
| 2015 | 52% | 44% |
| 2014 | 47% | 45% |
| 2013 | 47% | 44% |
| 2012 | 45% | 37% |
| 2011 | 43% | 41% |
| 2010 | 40% | 38% |
| 2009 | 28% | 36% |
| 2008 | 25% | 34% |
| 2007 | 35% | 34% |
| 2006 | 35% | 33% |
| 2005 | 37% | 29% |
| 2004 | 36% | 29% |
| 2003 | 27% | 28% |
| 2002 | 30% | 29% |
| 2001 | 29% | 27% |
| 2000 | 31% | 27% |
| 1999 | 31% | 27% |
| 1998 | 31% | 29% |
| 1997 | 30% | 29% |
| 1996 | 30% | 25% |
| 1995 | 29% | 25% |
| 1994 | 29% | 25% |
| 1993 | 29% | 23% |
| 1992 | 22% | 21% |
| 1991 | 31% | 10% |
| 1990 | 32% | 10% |
| 1989 | 34% | 8% |
Public High Schools Eligible For Free Lunch in North Carolina (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Eligible for Free Lunch
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Anson High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
96 Anson High School Road
Wadesboro, NC 28170
(704) 694-9301
Wadesboro, NC 28170
(704) 694-9301
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Ashbrook High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
2222 S New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Asheboro High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1221 S Park St
Asheboro, NC 27203
(336) 625-6185
Asheboro, NC 27203
(336) 625-6185
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Ayden-grifton High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
7653 Nc 11 South
Ayden, NC 28513
(252) 746-4183
Ayden, NC 28513
(252) 746-4183
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Beddingfield High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
4510 Old Stantonsburg Rd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7880
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7880
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Brevard High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
609 N. Country Club Rd
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-4103
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-4103
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Bunn High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
29 Bunn Elem School Road
Bunn, NC 27508
(919) 496-3975
Bunn, NC 27508
(919) 496-3975
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
C E Jordan High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
6806 Garrett Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3912
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3912
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Carson High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
290 Kress Venture Dr
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 855-7297
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 855-7297
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Catawba Rosenwald Education Center
Special Education School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: K-12
403 6th Ave Sw
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-2734
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-2734
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Citi High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
530-a North Old Carriage Rd
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 462-2842
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 462-2842
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Clayton High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
600 S Fayetteville St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-4064
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Clinton High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
340 Indian Town Road
Clinton, NC 28328
(910) 592-2067
Clinton, NC 28328
(910) 592-2067
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
Columbia High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-13
902 Main St
Columbia, NC 27925
(252) 796-8161
Columbia, NC 27925
(252) 796-8161
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
Dalton Mcmichael High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
6845 Hwy 135
Mayodan, NC 27027
(336) 427-5165
Mayodan, NC 27027
(336) 427-5165
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
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 - 1691. - 169.
East Forsyth High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
2500 W Mountain Street
Kernersville, NC 27284
(336) 703-6735
Kernersville, NC 27284
(336) 703-6735
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
East Gaston High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1744 Lane Road
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Rank: #1 - 1691. - 169.
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
Show 100 more public schools in NC (out of 729 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 63%% for 2026-27.
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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