For the 2026 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 19,315 students in Rowan County, NC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,246 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Rowan County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Rowan County (2026)
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: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
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 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
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 | 1,063 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
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-10 | 938 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 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 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
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 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
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 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
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 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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 | 986 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
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 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
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 | 932 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
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 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 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 | 930 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
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 | 988 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
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 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
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 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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 | 707 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 | 763 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
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 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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-12 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
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 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
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 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
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 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
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 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
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 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
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 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
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 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
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?
94% of all K-12 students in Rowan County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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 58% (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
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