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Very Good

#842 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Bandys High

High School · Catawba County Schools

5040 E Bandys Road, Catawba, NC 28609

Enrollment

923

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#842 of 2,648

In Catawba

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#8 of 27

Catawba County Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Bandys High

7.2/10

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

Mill Creek Middle

5.3/10

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

Balls Creek Elementary

7.7/10

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

About Bandys High

Bandys High is a public high school in Catawba, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Bandys High serves approximately 923 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Bandys High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #842 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Bandys High show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Bandys 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 Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+29.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.5 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation12.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,487
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Bandys High — Students at Bandys High score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 63.5% (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
87%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
58%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
85.2%
ELA
63.1%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Bandys High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
12.4% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·20 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

5040 E Bandys Road, Catawba, NC 28609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bandys High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Discovery High School (rated 7.9/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Lincoln High (rated 7.1/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bunker Hill High (rated 5.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Claremont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Catawba, see our Catawba schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Mill Creek Middle Claremont 0.4 mi 5.3
Balls Creek Elementary Newton 2.6 mi 7.7
Catawba Elementary School Catawba 4.0 mi 6.7
Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden 5.6 mi 6.2
Claremont Elementary Claremont 5.9 mi 6.5
Sherrills Ford Elementary Sherrills Ford 5.7 mi 7.9
River Bend Middle Claremont 7.7 mi 5.6
Bunker Hill High Claremont 7.8 mi 5.4
North Lincoln High Lincolnton 7.9 mi 7.1
Sharon Elementary Statesville 8.8 mi 8.2
Rock Springs Elementary Denver 8.7 mi 8.3
Shuford Elementary Conover 8.3 mi 8.0
Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton 9.3 mi 7.7
Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton 9.3 mi 4.9
North Lincoln Middle Denver 9.4 mi 6.8
Discovery High School Newton 8.0 mi 7.9
Maiden Elementary Maiden 8.4 mi 7.6
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover 8.3 mi 5.2
Newton-Conover High Newton 8.1 mi 4.3
South Newton Elementary Newton 8.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,756

Median Home Value

$229,000

Median Rent

$1,090/mo

Population

6,617

College Educated

17.2%

Homeownership

86.4%

Avg Commute

35.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

42.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Avery County High Newland, NC 7.2
West Stokes High School King, NC 7.2
East Lincoln High Denver, NC 7.3
East Rutherford High School Forest City, NC 7.3
Midway High Newton Grove, NC 7.3
North Davidson High Lexington, NC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bandys High

What grades does Bandys High serve?

Bandys High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bandys High?

Bandys High has an enrollment of approximately 923 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bandys High?

The student-teacher ratio at Bandys High is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bandys High rank in NC?

Bandys High ranks #842 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bandys High's MySchoolScout rating?

Bandys High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Bandys High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bandys High has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bandys High a charter school?

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

Is Bandys High a Title I school?

No, Bandys High is not currently a Title I school.

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

36.7% of students at Bandys 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
923
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Catawba County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

Catawba County Schools
District Enrollment
15,880
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,487
District Rank
#8 of 27

How we rate schools

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