For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 7,300 students in Salisbury, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 748 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Salisbury, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Salisbury, NC are Rowan Co Early College, East Rowan High School and Salisbury High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Salisbury, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Salisbury have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Salisbury, NC (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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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 Salisbury, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Salisbury, NC include Rowan Co Early College, East Rowan High School and Salisbury High School.
How many public schools are located in Salisbury?
14 public schools are located in Salisbury.
What percentage of students in Salisbury go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Salisbury are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Salisbury?
Salisbury public schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Salisbury are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Salisbury include: Erwin Middle School vs. Southeast Middle School, West Rowan Middle School vs. Southeast Middle School, Overton Elementary School vs. Koontz Elementary School
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