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Average

#2072 of 2,648 schools in NC

Dixon High

High School · Onslow County Schools

160 Dixon School Rd, Holly Ridge, NC 28445

Enrollment

1,187

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Holly Ridge

#3 of 3

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#334 of 579

In district

#32 of 39

Onslow County Schools

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Dixon High

Dixon High serves 1,187 students in grades 9-12 in Holly Ridge, offering a solid educational foundation with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. The school ranks in the 76th percentile statewide, placing 632nd among North Carolina's 2,661 schools, reflecting its strong academic performance within the state system. With 60 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1, Dixon High demonstrates solid academic achievement with 70% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 60% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results showcase the school's commitment to helping students develop essential skills across core subject areas. The school serves a community where families value education, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $79,720. The low poverty rate of 7.8% and median home values of $288,000 reflect the area's economic stability.

Students benefit from small-town values while having access to quality educational opportunities that prepare them for post-secondary success. Dixon High sits in the rural landscape near Holly Ridge, providing students with a close-knit learning environment where they can build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers while pursuing their academic and personal goals.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dixon 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 Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.4%
Math vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.8 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,680

Dixon High — Students at Dixon High score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.1%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
53.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
40.4%
ELA
70.4%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Dixon High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in NC
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers

Location

160 Dixon School Rd, Holly Ridge, NC 28445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dixon High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southwest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clyde Erwin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Coastal Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Holly Ridge, see our Holly Ridge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Dixon Elementary Holly Ridge 2.7 mi 5.4
Dixon Middle Sneads Ferry 3.8 mi 6.1
Coastal Elementary Holly Ridge 5.0 mi 7.3
NORTH SHORE ACADEMY Sneads Ferry 5.2 mi 6.2
Southwest Elementary Jacksonville 10.5 mi 7.8
Surf City Elementary Hampstead 10.1 mi 5.1
Surf City Middle Hampstead 10.1 mi 6.4
Southwest Middle Jacksonville 10.8 mi 5.0
Southwest High Jacksonville 11.3 mi 3.4
Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville 11.3 mi 4.8
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville 11.5 mi 6.7
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville 11.6 mi 5.5
New Bridge Middle Jacksonville 11.9 mi 7.0
Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville 12.2 mi 6.7
Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville 12.4 mi 7.8
FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville 12.7 mi
Bell Fork Elementary Jacksonville 12.6 mi 6.5
Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville 13.1 mi 6.2
Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville 13.1 mi 7.2
VILLAGE ACADEMY Jacksonville 12.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,250

Median Home Value

$332,500

Median Rent

$1,318/mo

Population

9,784

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

79.5%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dixon High has a median household income of $89,250. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,500, with a median rent of $1,318/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Cape Fear High Fayetteville, NC 5.2
Crest High Shelby, NC 5.2
Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem, NC 5.2
Northern Guilford High Greensboro, NC 5.2
Reynolds High Asheville, NC 5.2
South View High Hope Mills, NC 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dixon High

What grades does Dixon High serve?

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

How many students attend Dixon High?

Dixon High has an enrollment of approximately 1,187 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dixon High?

The student-teacher ratio at Dixon High is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dixon High rank in NC?

Dixon High is ranked #2072 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dixon High's MySchoolScout rating?

Dixon High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Dixon High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dixon High has 43.1% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dixon High a charter school?

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

Is Dixon High a Title I school?

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

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

35.2% of students at Dixon 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (887/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,187
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Onslow County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Onslow County Schools
District Enrollment
27,592
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,056
District Rank
#32 of 39

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

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