Best Schools in Norwood, North Carolina
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Norwood?
Use this page to compare every school in Norwood 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.
Norwood Elementary
Elementary · Stanly County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Aquadale Elementary
Elementary · Stanly County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
South Stanly Middle
Middle · Stanly County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Norwood for 2026 are Norwood Elementary (8.3/10), Aquadale Elementary (7.9/10), and South Stanly Middle (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$179,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$179,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +15.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Norwood schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Norwood
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 4 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwood Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Aquadale Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | South Stanly Middle | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | South Stanly High | 6.0 / 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
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $59,941
- Median home value
- $179,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Norwood compares
North Carolina rank
#19 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$60k
88% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
4
Stanly County Schools runs Norwood's public schools
4 public schools. Stanly County Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Norwood is a Stanly County Schools school (4 of 4).
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.0 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Norwood, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Norwood, North Carolina
Norwood, North Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Norwood perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Norwood is Norwood Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Norwood is served by 1 school district: Stanly County Schools. These districts collectively serve 8,739 students.
Norwood's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,941. The poverty rate in the area is 11.1%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 343 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 354 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 362 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 434 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
Schools in Norwood
Norwood, North Carolina · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$59,941
Median Home Value
$179,700
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
7,610
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Community Profile
Norwood has a median household income of $59,941. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,700, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Norwood, North Carolina
How many schools are in Norwood, North Carolina?
Norwood has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Norwood, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Norwood is 7.2 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 Norwood, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Norwood on MySchoolScout is Norwood Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Norwood, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Norwood on MySchoolScout is Norwood Elementary with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Norwood, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Norwood on MySchoolScout is South Stanly Middle with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Norwood, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Norwood on MySchoolScout is South Stanly High with a composite score of 6.0/10.
How many school districts serve Norwood, North Carolina?
Norwood is served by 1 school district: Stanly County Schools.
What is the education level in Norwood, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Norwood have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Norwood, North Carolina?
The median household income in Norwood is approximately $59,941 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Norwood, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Norwood is 15.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Norwood, 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.
Related reading
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- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
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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.