North Rowan High School, formerly Spencer High School and East Spencer High School, is located in the north eastern end of Rowan County in Spencer, North Carolina. It is part of the Rowan–Salisbury School System.
Serving 592 students in grades 9-12, North Rowan High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 21-39% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30-34% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 592 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 80-84% (Btm 50% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 21-39% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
North Rowan High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
North Rowan High School's student population of 592 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 38 teachers has declined by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
592 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
38 teachers
Year Founded
1958
Colors
Green, Gold
School Rankings
North Rowan High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of North Rowan High School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2211 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
2%
4%
Hispanic
28%
21%
Black
37%
25%
White
23%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-84%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
98%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
3%
2%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Cavaliers
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Rowan High School's ranking?
North Rowan High School is ranked #2211 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are North Rowan High School often compared to?
North Rowan High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Salisbury High School, East Rowan High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
21-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 30-34% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of North Rowan High School?
The graduation rate of North Rowan High School is 80-84%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend North Rowan High School?
592 students attend North Rowan High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
37% of North Rowan High School students are Black, 28% of students are Hispanic, 23% of students are White, 10% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of North Rowan High School?
North Rowan High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does North Rowan High School offer ?
North Rowan High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is North Rowan High School part of?
North Rowan High School is part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review North Rowan High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
