Below Average
#2213 of 2,648 schools in NC
Bandys High
High School · Catawba County Schools
5040 E Bandys Road, Catawba, NC 28609
Enrollment
923
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
923
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Catawba
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#381 of 579
In district
#23 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Bandys High
Bandys High serves 923 students in grades 9-12 in Catawba, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the stronger public high schools in the state. With a ranking of 654 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, the school places in the 76th percentile statewide and maintains a solid 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates particularly strong academic performance, with an impressive 8.7 out of 10 academic score.
Students show solid proficiency rates across core subjects, with 71% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 63% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the dedicated work of 49 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain an 18.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Bandys High draws families from a community where the median household income reaches $73,359 and median home values sit at $213,200.
The surrounding area has a 12% poverty rate, and while 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves students from diverse educational backgrounds. Located on East Bandys Road, the school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and career opportunities in the greater Catawba County region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bandys 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 metricsView breakdown
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Bandys High — Students at Bandys High score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
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: 2.6/10.
How Bandys High Compares
See how Bandys High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 56.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 63.1% (2025).
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 7.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Lincoln High (rated 5.4/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Newton-Conover High (rated 3.9/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.4 |
| Balls Creek Elementary Newton | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba | 4.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden | 5.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Sherrills Ford Elementary Sherrills Ford | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| River Bend Middle Claremont | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Bunker Hill High Claremont | 7.8 mi | 3.0 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 7.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Sharon Elementary Statesville | 8.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Rock Springs Elementary Denver | 8.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Shuford Elementary Conover | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 9.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 9.3 mi | 5.6 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 9.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Discovery High School Newton | 8.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 8.4 mi | 8.1 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 8.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton | 8.1 mi | 3.9 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 8.0 mi | 7.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bandys High has a median household income of $81,756. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,000, with a median rent of $1,090/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bartlett Yancey High Yanceyville, NC | 4.8 |
| Enka High Candler, NC | 4.8 |
| Jay M Robinson High Concord, NC | 4.8 |
| John M Morehead High Eden, NC | 4.8 |
| Jordan Matthews High Siler City, NC | 4.8 |
| Midway High Newton Grove, NC | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2213 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bandys High's MySchoolScout rating?
Bandys High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Bandys High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bandys High has 67.3% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 241-1471
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #23 of 27
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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