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Needs Improvement

#2497 of 2,648 schools in NC

Mount Airy High

High School · Mount Airy City Schools

1011 N South St, Mount Airy, NC 27030

Enrollment

620

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Airy

#10 of 11

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#504 of 579

In district

#4 of 4

Mount Airy City Schools

About Mount Airy High

Mount Airy High is a regular public high school located in the heart of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 620 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Mount Airy High is solid, with 59% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 68% proficient or above in Math.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks at 6.0 out of 10 overall and holds a state ranking of #1162 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 56th percentile. The academic score is rated at 7.4 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement but also clear strengths within the curriculum. Mount Airy High stands as an integral part of its community, fostering a supportive and engaging environment where students can grow both academically and personally.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.5%
Math vs. State Avg-29 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,873

Mount Airy High — Students at Mount Airy High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 59.2%
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
67%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
27%
ELA
53.5%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Mount Airy High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
6th percentile in NC
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

1011 N South St, Mount Airy, NC 27030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mount Airy High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Surry Early College (rated 6.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Dobson), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Surry High (rated 4.1/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Surry Central High (rated 3.6/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Dobson), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mount Airy, see our Mount Airy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 1.0 mi 3.3
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 1.7 mi 6.5
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 1.8 mi 7.1
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 1.8 mi 6.4
Jones Intermediate Mount Airy 1.9 mi 8.0
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy 2.4 mi 6.6
Flat Rock Elementary Mount Airy 2.6 mi 4.5
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy 3.0 mi 7.1
North Surry High Mount Airy 3.2 mi 4.1
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 4.1 mi 6.3
White Plains Elementary Mount Airy 5.2 mi 6.0
St. Paul Cana 7.6 mi 7.5
Westfield Elementary Pilot Mountain 7.6 mi 6.6
Blue Ridge Elementary Ararat 8.4 mi 7.1
Dobson Elementary Dobson 10.2 mi 7.5
Rockford Elementary Dobson 10.7 mi 7.7
Surry Early College Dobson 10.5 mi 6.4
Surry Central High Dobson 10.6 mi 3.6
SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson 10.7 mi 4.9
Central Middle Dobson 10.4 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,213

Median Home Value

$153,100

Median Rent

$727/mo

Population

36,350

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mount Airy High has a median household income of $47,213. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,100, with a median rent of $727/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Clinton High Clinton, NC 3.9
Graham High Graham, NC 3.9
Heide Trask High Rocky Point, NC 3.9
Newton-Conover High Newton, NC 3.9
North Moore High Robbins, NC 3.9
North Pitt High Bethel, NC 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mount Airy High

What grades does Mount Airy High serve?

Mount Airy High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mount Airy High?

Mount Airy High has an enrollment of approximately 620 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mount Airy High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mount Airy High is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mount Airy High rank in NC?

Mount Airy High is ranked #2497 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mount Airy High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mount Airy High has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Mount Airy High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mount Airy High has 52.0% math proficiency and 59.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mount Airy High a charter school?

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

Is Mount Airy High a Title I school?

No, Mount Airy High is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.5% of students at Mount Airy 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 (2,786/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Surry County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mount Airy City Schools
District Enrollment
1,761
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,250
District Rank
#4 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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