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Average

#1232 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 47% in state

Elkin High

High School · Elkin City Schools

334 Elk Spur St, Elkin, NC 28621

Enrollment

384

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elkin

#2 of 6

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#109 of 579

In district

#2 of 4

Elkin City Schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Elkin High

Elkin High stands as a remarkable academic achievement in rural North Carolina, serving 384 students in grades 9-12 with exceptional results. This regular public school ranks #17 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile and earning a 9.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school's academic excellence is evident in its strong performance metrics, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 71% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

With 29 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a favorable 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive personalized attention that clearly contributes to these outstanding outcomes. Located on Elk Spur Street in Surry County, Elkin High serves a working-class community where the median household income is $54,493 and median home values average $142,200. While only 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees, the school's exceptional academic performance demonstrates its success in preparing students for post-secondary opportunities despite economic challenges, with an 18.3% poverty rate in the surrounding ZIP code of 9,751 residents.

Elkin High exemplifies how dedicated educators and strong community support can create academic excellence in a rural setting, providing students with a solid foundation for future success.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Elkin 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 Progress4.1Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.2%
Math vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness6.2Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,606

Elkin High — Students at Elkin High score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.0%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 75.4%
School
State
53.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
52.6%
ELA
77.2%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Elkin High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

334 Elk Spur St, Elkin, NC 28621

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elkin High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Global E-Learning Academy (rated 7.0/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is East Wilkes High School (rated 4.0/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Ronda), a more accessible option. Additionally, Surry Central High (rated 3.6/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Dobson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Elkin, see our Elkin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Global E-Learning Academy Elkin 0.0 mi 7.0
Elkin Middle Elkin 0.0 mi 5.5
Elkin Elementary Elkin 0.3 mi 5.2
Appalachian State Univ Academy at Elkin Elkin 0.3 mi 3.6
Jonesville Elementary Jonesville 1.3 mi 6.4
C B Eller Elementary School Elkin 2.7 mi 5.3
East Wilkes High School Ronda 4.0 mi 4.0
East Wilkes Middle School Ronda 4.0 mi 7.1
Ronda-Clingman Elementary School Ronda 5.1 mi 4.3
Starmount High Boonville 6.6 mi 2.7
Starmount Middle Boonville 6.5 mi 5.6
Mountain Park Elementary State Road 8.8 mi 8.6
West Yadkin Elementary Hamptonville 9.4 mi 6.5
Roaring River Elementary School Roaring River 8.4 mi 7.7
Boonville Elementary Boonville 8.8 mi 6.3
WHISPERING PINES CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Hamptonville 11.7 mi 2.9
Central Middle Dobson 12.5 mi 6.2
Surry Online Magnet School Dobson 12.5 mi 4.3
Traphill Elementary School Traphill 11.7 mi 7.9
Surry Central High Dobson 12.4 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,481

Median Home Value

$147,500

Median Rent

$764/mo

Population

9,977

College Educated

18.6%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

19.9%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Elkin High has a median household income of $54,481. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $147,500, with a median rent of $764/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. 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
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory, NC 6.6
Murphy High Murphy, NC 6.6
Pamlico County High Bayboro, NC 6.6
Union County Early College Monroe, NC 6.6
Char Eng Early College-UNCC Charlotte, NC 6.5
Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve Trinity, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elkin High

What grades does Elkin High serve?

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

How many students attend Elkin High?

Elkin High has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elkin High?

The student-teacher ratio at Elkin High is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elkin High rank in NC?

Elkin High is ranked #1232 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Elkin High's MySchoolScout rating?

Elkin High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Elkin High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elkin High has 58.0% math proficiency and 75.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Elkin High a charter school?

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

Is Elkin High a Title I school?

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

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

44.0% of students at Elkin 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

County Safety
Elevated (718/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Surry County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Elkin City Schools
District Enrollment
1,253
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,671
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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