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Average

#1761 of 2,648 schools in NC

Alexander Central High

High School · Alexander County Schools

223 School Drive, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Enrollment

1,248

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Taylorsville

#4 of 8

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#222 of 579

In district

#7 of 11

Alexander County Schools

Equity

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Alexander Central High

Alexander Central High serves 1,248 students in grades 9-12 in Taylorsville, North Carolina, maintaining a solid 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 82nd percentile among North Carolina high schools. With 84 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, allowing for reasonably personalized attention in classrooms. Academically, Alexander Central demonstrates steady performance with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 58% in mathematics.

These scores reflect the school's commitment to helping students develop essential skills across core subjects. The school's academic score of 7.7 out of 10 indicates consistent educational delivery for its diverse student body. Alexander Central High sits in Alexander County's rural landscape, serving families from the surrounding 28681 zip code area where the median household income is $59,309 and median home values average $166,500.

The community of approximately 25,825 residents represents a working-class area where 15% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This rural setting provides students with a close-knit school environment while preparing them for future educational and career opportunities beyond their hometown community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Alexander Central High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.5Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,879

Alexander Central High — Students at Alexander Central High score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
48%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
40.5%
ELA
57%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How Alexander Central High Compares

See how Alexander Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers

Location

223 School Drive, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alexander Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alexander Early College (rated 5.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Saint Stephens High (rated 4.3/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Hickory), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bunker Hill High (rated 3.0/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Claremont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Taylorsville, see our Taylorsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Taylorsville Elementary Taylorsville 0.4 mi 5.5
Alexander Early College Taylorsville 0.6 mi 5.9
Sugar Loaf Elementary Taylorsville 3.7 mi 4.8
MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville 4.4 mi 3.9
East Alexander Middle Hiddenite 3.8 mi 7.6
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville 5.1 mi 4.8
NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover 6.7 mi
Hiddenite Elementary Hiddenite 5.6 mi 7.3
Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville 6.8 mi 4.4
West Alexander Middle Taylorsville 7.5 mi 7.9
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 8.8 mi 7.3
Oxford Elementary Claremont 10.1 mi 5.2
Stony Point Elementary Stony Point 8.5 mi 6.4
Snow Creek Elementary Hickory 10.4 mi 6.9
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 10.7 mi 4.4
Saint Stephens High Hickory 11.0 mi 4.3
Lyle Creek Elementary Conover 11.6 mi 7.6
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 11.1 mi 8.2
Bunker Hill High Claremont 11.9 mi 3.0
Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls 12.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28681 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,343

Median Home Value

$188,000

Median Rent

$719/mo

Population

26,117

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

44.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alexander Central High has a median household income of $61,343. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,000, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Charles B Aycock High Pikeville, NC 5.7
Garner High Garner, NC 5.7
North Buncombe High Weaverville, NC 5.7
West Henderson High Hendersonville, NC 5.7
Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough, NC 5.8
Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount, NC 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alexander Central High

What grades does Alexander Central High serve?

Alexander Central High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Alexander Central High?

Alexander Central High has an enrollment of approximately 1,248 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alexander Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Alexander Central High is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alexander Central High rank in NC?

Alexander Central High is ranked #1761 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Alexander Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Alexander Central High has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alexander Central High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alexander Central High has 51.8% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alexander Central High a charter school?

No, Alexander Central High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alexander Central High a Title I school?

No, Alexander Central High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alexander Central High?

99.8% of students at Alexander Central High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,196/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Taylorsville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,248
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Alexander County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alexander County Schools
District Enrollment
4,365
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,929
District Rank
#7 of 11

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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