Best Schools in Salisbury, North Carolina
20 schools · 11 Elementary · 4 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Salisbury?
Use this page to compare every school in Salisbury 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.
Rowan Co Early College
High · Rowan-salisbury Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Hills Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Salisbury for 2026 are Rowan Co Early College (8.0/10), North Hills Christian School (7.6/10), and Sacred Heart Catholic School (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 17 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
20
14 public · 6 private
Avg Score
4.4
out of 10
Median Home
$225,033
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
20
14 public · 6 private
Avg Score
4.4
out of 10
Median Home
$225,033
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.0/10 despite 98% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 4.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Salisbury schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Salisbury
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (17 of 20). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rowan Co Early College | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | North Hills Christian School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Sacred Heart Catholic School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Summit Virtual Academy | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | East Rowan High | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Isenberg Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Henderson High | 5.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Salisbury Academy | 5.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Erwin Middle | 3.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Knollwood Elementary | 3.0 / 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
- 4.4/10
- Median household income
- $59,418
- Median home value
- $225,033
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
18% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Salisbury compares
North Carolina rank
#250 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.9
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$59k
88% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
17
About Schools in Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury sits in Rowan County and sends families to 14 ranked public schools spanning elementary through high school. The city's schools average 4.5 out of 10 — a performance band that places most options below statewide medians. That number matters less than the spread beneath it: the highest-rated school scores 6.9 while several others fall well short of the city mean. Parents researching here should expect to filter carefully rather than assume a neighborhood assignment will land a strong fit.
At the top of the city's public school landscape, Rowan Co Early College leads at 6.9 out of 10 — the strongest result among all 14 ranked schools. It's a high school program, which means families need a student who qualifies and is ready for a college-coursework model. Henderson High follows closely at 6.8, giving parents a second competitive high school option. Together, these two schools form a tier noticeably above the rest of Salisbury's secondary choices. For elementary-age students, Isenberg Elementary scores 6.4, making it the clear standout at that level and worth prioritizing in an attendance zone search.
The middle school picture is thinner. Erwin Middle comes in at 5.1 — above the city average but well short of the upper tier set by the top elementary and high schools. East Rowan High scores 4.3, falling below the city average of 4.5 and a full 2.5 points behind Henderson High. That kind of gap within a single school type tells parents that high school assignment in Salisbury carries real consequences for academic environment and outcomes.
Practically, families with high schoolers have the strongest options here — but access to Rowan Co Early College or Henderson High is not guaranteed by geography alone. Parents of younger children should anchor their search on Isenberg Elementary and map attendance zones from there. Anyone relocating to Salisbury should verify school assignment by specific home address before committing to a neighborhood. With a 14-school landscape averaging 4.5 and a top score of 6.9, the zone boundaries matter more than the city average suggests.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 171 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 486 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 3 | 546 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.0 | ||
| 4 | 396 students · Pre-K–5th | 2.6 | ||
| 5 | 524 students · Pre-K–5th | 2.3 | ||
| 6 | 271 students · Kindergarten–5th | 2.2 | ||
| 7 | 568 students · Pre-K–5th | 2.0 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacred Heart Catholic School
Private
153 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | Salisbury Academy
Private
192 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 3 | Nehemiah Enrichment Academy
Private
4 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Salisbury
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 812 students · 6th–8th | 3.5 | ||
| 2 | 716 students · 6th–8th | 2.6 | ||
| 3 | 630 students · 6th–8th | 2.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Salisbury Adventist School
Private
10 students · 2nd–8th | — | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 235 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 2 | 1,072 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 78 students · 6th–12th | 5.2 |
| 4 | 1,014 students · 9th–12th | 2.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Hills Christian School
Private
384 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.6 |
Schools in Salisbury
Salisbury, North Carolina · 20 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$59,418
Median Home Value
$225,033
Median Rent
$969/mo
Population
84,184
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Community Profile
Salisbury has a median household income of $59,418. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,033, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 4
- 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 Salisbury, North Carolina
How many schools are in Salisbury, North Carolina?
Salisbury has 20 schools, including 14 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Salisbury, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Salisbury is 4.4 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 Salisbury, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Salisbury on MySchoolScout is Rowan Co Early College with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Salisbury, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Salisbury on MySchoolScout is Sacred Heart Catholic School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Salisbury, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Salisbury on MySchoolScout is Erwin Middle with a composite score of 3.5/10.
What is the best high school in Salisbury, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Salisbury on MySchoolScout is Rowan Co Early College with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Salisbury, North Carolina?
Salisbury is served by 1 school district: Rowan-salisbury Schools.
What is the education level in Salisbury, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Salisbury have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Salisbury, North Carolina?
The median household income in Salisbury is approximately $59,418 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Salisbury, North Carolina?
Yes, Salisbury has 6 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is North Hills Christian School with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Salisbury, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Salisbury is 14.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Salisbury, 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.