For the 2025 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 19,315 students in Rowan County, NC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,565 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
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 9-12 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,135 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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
Gr: K-9 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
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
Gr: K-5 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
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
Gr: K-5 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
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
Gr: K-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
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
Gr: K-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,072 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 989 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,014 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,105 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 716 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 812 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
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
Gr: K-8 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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
Gr: K-5 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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
Gr: 6-12 | 78 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rowan County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
107 School St
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Gr: K-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
925 North Enochville Ave
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 933-2534
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 933-2534
Gr: K-5 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
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
Gr: K-6 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
1000 School St
Faith, NC 28041
(704) 279-3195
Faith, NC 28041
(704) 279-3195
Gr: K-5 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
1625 Park Rd W
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 633-2922
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 633-2922
Gr: 6-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
1010 Airport Road
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 630-9200
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 630-9200
Gr: K-5 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
9055 School St
Woodleaf, NC 27054
(704) 278-2203
Woodleaf, NC 27054
(704) 278-2203
Gr: PK-5 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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, Corriher Lipe Middle School vs. China Grove Middle School, Rockwell Elementary School vs. Shive Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
