Average
#1640 of 2,648 schools in NC
Alexander Early College
High School · Alexander County Schools
700 Liledoun Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Taylorsville
#3 of 8
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#200 of 579
In district
#6 of 11
Alexander County Schools
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Alexander Early College
Alexander Early College serves 169 high school students in grades 9-12 in Taylorsville, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 24.1:1 and 7 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 267th out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, with an outstanding academic score of 9.7 out of 10.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 85% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while an impressive 88% reach proficiency or above in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The surrounding community in the 28681 ZIP code has a population of 25,825, with a median household income of $59,309 and median home values around $166,500.
About 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 11.2%. Alexander Early College operates in Alexander County's rural setting, providing quality education in a close-knit community environment where students can benefit from both academic rigor and the personal attention that comes with a smaller school atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 169 students, Alexander Early College is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Alexander Early College is 24.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Alexander Early College 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
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Alexander Early College — Students at Alexander Early College score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.4/10.
How Alexander Early College Compares
See how Alexander Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 78.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 85.4% (2025).
Location
700 Liledoun Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alexander Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alexander Central High (rated 5.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Saint Stephens High (rated 4.3/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Hickory), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bunker Hill High (rated 3.0/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Claremont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Taylorsville, see our Taylorsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville Elementary Taylorsville | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Alexander Central High Taylorsville | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville | 4.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Sugar Loaf Elementary Taylorsville | 4.2 mi | 4.8 |
| East Alexander Middle Hiddenite | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Hiddenite Elementary Hiddenite | 5.1 mi | 7.3 |
| NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover | 6.3 mi | — |
| Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville | 5.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville | 6.7 mi | 4.4 |
| West Alexander Middle Taylorsville | 7.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Stony Point Elementary Stony Point | 8.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Oxford Elementary Claremont | 9.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville | 8.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 10.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Lyle Creek Elementary Conover | 11.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 10.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Bunker Hill High Claremont | 11.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 10.9 mi | 8.2 |
| River Bend Middle Claremont | 11.5 mi | 5.3 |
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 Early College 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Piedmont Early College Charlotte, NC | 5.9 |
| Innovation Early College High Greenville, NC | 5.9 |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine, NC | 5.9 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby, NC | 5.9 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham, NC | 6.0 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alexander Early College
What grades does Alexander Early College serve?
Alexander Early College serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Alexander Early College?
Alexander Early College has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alexander Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Alexander Early College is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alexander Early College rank in NC?
Alexander Early College is ranked #1640 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Alexander Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Alexander Early College has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alexander Early College has 82.4% math proficiency and 84.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alexander Early College a charter school?
No, Alexander Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alexander Early College a Title I school?
No, Alexander Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alexander Early College?
30.8% of students at Alexander Early College qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Taylorsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 169
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Alexander County
- Phone
- (828) 632-8221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alexander County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,365
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,929
- District Rank
- #6 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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