Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2511 of 2,648 schools in NC

Central Davidson High

High School · Davidson County Schools

2747 NC Hwy 47, Lexington, NC 27292

Enrollment

867

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lexington

#27 of 27

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#514 of 579

In district

#34 of 35

Davidson County Schools

About Central Davidson High

Central Davidson High serves students in grades 9 through 12 in Lexington, North Carolina, with an enrollment of 867 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, supported by 48 full-time equivalent teachers who work to guide students through their high school years. Academically, Central Davidson High is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In mathematics, 64% of students perform at proficient levels or above, showing relative strength in quantitative skills. English language arts and reading proficiency stands at 51% across grade levels, indicating room for growth in literacy development. The school's overall academic score of 6.8/10 reflects these mixed results as the school focuses on raising achievement across its curriculum.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4/10, Central Davidson High ranks at the 46th percentile among North Carolina schools, placing it #1428 out of 2661 schools statewide. This positioning suggests the school is near the middle of the state's high schools and continues working toward higher performance levels. Located on NC Highway 47, the school sits in a rural area near town, serving families throughout the surrounding Davidson County region.

The school provides a traditional high school experience for ninth through twelfth graders in this part of North Carolina.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Davidson 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 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49%
Math vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness5.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,930

Central Davidson High — Students at Central Davidson High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.1%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 51.3%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
63%
2025
Math
28.2%
ELA
49%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Central Davidson High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in NC
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

2747 NC Hwy 47, Lexington, NC 27292

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Davidson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Davidson County High School (rated 6.5/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Davidson Early College (rated 6.4/10, 8.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy (rated 6.2/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Davidson Middle Lexington 0.2 mi 6.8
Southwood Elementary Lexington 2.6 mi 8.5
South Lexington School Lexington 4.5 mi 5.8
South Lexington Developmental Center Lexington 4.5 mi
Charles England Elementary School Lexington 5.4 mi 7.2
SHEETS MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lexington 5.3 mi 6.8
Stoner-Thomas School Lexington 5.5 mi 5.9
Davidson County High School Lexington 5.7 mi 6.5
Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy Lexington 5.7 mi 6.2
Southmont Elementary Lexington 5.9 mi 7.2
Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington 5.8 mi 6.8
Lexington Middle School Lexington 6.6 mi 6.8
Lexington Senior High School Lexington 6.6 mi 4.5
Southwest Elementary Global Academy Lexington 6.3 mi 8.2
Tyro Elementary Lexington 6.6 mi 5.9
Pickett Elementary School Lexington 7.7 mi 6.0
Davidson Charter Academy Lexington 7.8 mi 6.5
Silver Valley Elementary Lexington 6.7 mi 6.9
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Thomasville 7.8 mi 6.0
Davidson Early College Lexington 8.9 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27292 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,468

Median Home Value

$193,300

Median Rent

$831/mo

Population

40,369

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

67.1%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

19.4%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Davidson High has a median household income of $54,468. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,300, with a median rent of $831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
East Duplin High Beulaville, NC 3.8
East Rowan High Salisbury, NC 3.8
Erwin High Asheville, NC 3.8
Pasquotank County High Elizabeth City, NC 3.8
Southern Alamance High Graham, NC 3.8
Southern Lee High School Sanford, NC 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Davidson High

What grades does Central Davidson High serve?

Central Davidson High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central Davidson High?

Central Davidson High has an enrollment of approximately 867 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Davidson High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Davidson High is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Davidson High rank in NC?

Central Davidson High is ranked #2511 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Davidson High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Davidson High has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Central Davidson High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Davidson High has 49.1% math proficiency and 51.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Davidson High a charter school?

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

Is Central Davidson High a Title I school?

No, Central Davidson High is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.2% of students at Central Davidson 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

City Safety
High (3,493/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lexington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
867
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Davidson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Davidson County Schools
District Enrollment
17,868
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,178
District Rank
#34 of 35

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.