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Very Good

#881 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 33% in state

Alexander Central High

High School · Alexander County Schools

223 School Drive, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Enrollment

1,248

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#881 of 2,648

In Taylorsville

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

Alexander County Schools

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Alexander Central High

7.1/10

High School in Taylorsville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Taylorsville Elementary

7.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alexander Early College

8.4/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alexander Central High

Alexander Central High is a public high school in Taylorsville, NC, part of Alexander County Schools. Alexander Central High serves approximately 1,248 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Alexander Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #881 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Alexander Central High show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Alexander Central High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+20 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,929
Chronic Absenteeism25.6%

Alexander Central High — Students at Alexander Central High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
76%
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: 7.6/10.

How Alexander Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
22
10 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
9% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
10 boys'·12 girls'·31 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bunker Hill High (rated 5.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Claremont), a more accessible option. Additionally, Saint Stephens High (rated 4.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Hickory), 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 7.8
Alexander Early College Taylorsville 0.6 mi 8.4
Sugar Loaf Elementary Taylorsville 3.7 mi 5.9
MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville 4.4 mi 4.0
East Alexander Middle Hiddenite 3.8 mi 7.2
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville 5.1 mi 6.5
NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover 6.7 mi
Hiddenite Elementary Hiddenite 5.6 mi 5.1
Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville 6.8 mi 6.5
West Alexander Middle Taylorsville 7.5 mi 8.4
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 8.8 mi 6.8
Oxford Elementary Claremont 10.1 mi 5.1
Stony Point Elementary Stony Point 8.5 mi 7.0
Snow Creek Elementary Hickory 10.4 mi 7.7
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 10.7 mi 4.9
Saint Stephens High Hickory 11.0 mi 4.8
Lyle Creek Elementary Conover 11.6 mi 6.9
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 11.1 mi 7.8
Bunker Hill High Claremont 11.9 mi 5.4
Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls 12.3 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Gray Stone Day Misenheimer, NC 7.1
High Point Central High High Point, NC 7.1
Ledford Senior High Thomasville, NC 7.1
Montgomery Central High Troy, NC 7.1
North Lincoln High Lincolnton, NC 7.1
Oak Grove High Winston-Salem, NC 7.1

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 ranks #881 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Alexander Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Alexander Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alexander Central High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alexander Central High has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.6%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

District

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

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.

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