Average
#1905 of 2,648 schools in NC
Carson High
High School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
290 Kress Venture Dr, China Grove, NC 28023
Enrollment
1,135
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,135
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In China Grove
#3 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#264 of 579
In district
#12 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Carson High
Carson High serves 1,135 students in grades 9-12 in China Grove, North Carolina, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 and 60 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 60th percentile among North Carolina high schools at #1074 out of 2661 schools statewide. Academically, Carson High shows solid performance with 59% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 55% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic growth opportunities for its diverse student body. The school serves families in the 28023 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $57,670 and median home values average $181,600. With 16% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.7%, the community represents a mix of working families invested in their children's education.
Carson High is situated in a rural area near the town of China Grove in Rowan County, providing students with a close-knit school environment while maintaining access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities in the surrounding region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Carson 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
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Carson High — Students at Carson High score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How Carson High Compares
See how Carson High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 48.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 58.9% (2025).
Location
290 Kress Venture Dr, China Grove, NC 28023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rowan Co Early College (rated 6.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Rowan High (rated 3.9/10, 3.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, A L Brown High (rated 3.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Kannapolis), a more accessible option. For more schools in China Grove, see our China Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| China Grove Middle China Grove | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| China Grove Elementary China Grove | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury | 3.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Knollwood Elementary Salisbury | 4.0 mi | 3.6 |
| South Rowan High China Grove | 3.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Corriher Lipe Middle Landis | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Landis Elementary Landis | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Jackson Park Elementary Kannapolis | 5.1 mi | 8.5 |
| NEHEMIAH ENRICHMENT ACADEMY Salisbury | 5.8 mi | — |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 5.1 mi | 5.7 |
| NORTH KANNAPOLIS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kannapolis | 5.5 mi | 7.1 |
| North Kannapolis Elementary Kannapolis | 5.6 mi | 7.2 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kannapolis | 6.0 mi | 5.3 |
| A L Brown High Kannapolis | 6.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
| GW Carver Elementary Kannapolis | 6.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Forest Park Elementary Kannapolis | 6.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 6.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,064
Median Home Value
$209,700
Median Rent
$942/mo
Population
15,255
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carson High has a median household income of $62,064. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,700, with a median rent of $942/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| North Henderson High Hendersonville, NC | 5.5 |
| Roxboro Community School Roxboro, NC | 5.5 |
| Anson High School Wadesboro, NC | 5.6 |
| Ashe County High West Jefferson, NC | 5.4 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson, NC | 5.4 |
| Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro, NC | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carson High
What grades does Carson High serve?
Carson High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Carson High?
Carson High has an enrollment of approximately 1,135 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson High?
The student-teacher ratio at Carson High is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carson High rank in NC?
Carson High is ranked #1905 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Carson High's MySchoolScout rating?
Carson High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Carson High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carson High has 49.3% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carson High a charter school?
No, Carson High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carson High a Title I school?
No, Carson High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carson High?
98.0% of students at Carson 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (China Grove). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,135
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 855-7297
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rowan-Salisbury Schools- District Enrollment
- 18,110
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,141
- District Rank
- #12 of 32
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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