Best Schools in Locust, North Carolina
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Locust?
Use this page to compare every school in Locust by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Locust Elementary
Elementary · Stanly County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Stanly Middle School
Middle · Stanly County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carolina Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Locust for 2026 are Locust Elementary (8.6/10), West Stanly Middle School (7.1/10), and Carolina Christian School (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$281,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$281,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Locust
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Locust Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | West Stanly Middle School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Carolina Christian School | 6.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $77,600
- Median home value
- $281,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 82%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Locust compares
North Carolina rank
#25 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$78k
114% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Locust, North Carolina
Locust, North Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Locust perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Locust is Locust Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Locust is served by 1 school district: Stanly County Schools. These districts collectively serve 8,739 students.
Locust's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $77,600. The poverty rate in the area is 10.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 526 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 633 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina Christian School
Private
174 students · 1st–12th | 6.3 |
Schools in Locust
Locust, North Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$77,600
Median Home Value
$281,200
Median Rent
$861/mo
Population
7,976
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
82%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Community Profile
Locust has a median household income of $77,600. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $281,200, with a median rent of $861/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Locust, North Carolina
How many schools are in Locust, North Carolina?
Locust has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Locust, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Locust is 7.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Locust, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Locust on MySchoolScout is Locust Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Locust, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Locust on MySchoolScout is Locust Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Locust, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Locust on MySchoolScout is West Stanly Middle School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Locust, North Carolina?
Locust is served by 1 school district: Stanly County Schools.
What is the education level in Locust, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Locust have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Locust, North Carolina?
The median household income in Locust is approximately $77,600 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Locust, North Carolina?
Yes, Locust has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Carolina Christian School with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Locust, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Locust is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Locust, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.