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Average

#1152 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 44% in state

Nash Central High

High School · Nash County Public Schools

4279 Nash Central High Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Enrollment

900

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rocky Mount

#5 of 19

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#94 of 579

In district

#11 of 27

Nash County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Nash Central High

Nash Central High serves 900 students in grades 9 through 12 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #742 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 72nd percentile among North Carolina high schools. Academically, Nash Central High demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 8.0 out of 10.

Students show strong proficiency rates, with 65% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, and 64% achieving proficiency in Mathematics across grade levels. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education to its diverse student body. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $54,604 and the median home value is $168,900.

About 27% of residents in the area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.3% in this ZIP code of nearly 30,000 residents. Nash Central High is situated in a rural setting near Rocky Mount, offering students a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to the resources and opportunities of the broader Nash County region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Nash Central 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 Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.8%
Math vs. State Avg-0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,090

Nash Central High — Students at Nash Central High score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 42.6%
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
36%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
55.7%
ELA
64.8%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Nash Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in NC
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

4279 Nash Central High Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nash Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CITI High School (rated 8.1/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NRM Early College High School (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tar River Academy (rated 6.3/10, 5.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rocky Mount, see our Rocky Mount schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
NRM Early College High School Rocky Mount 1.5 mi 7.5
Northern Nash High Rocky Mount 3.0 mi 5.3
Winstead Avenue Elementary Rocky Mount 2.9 mi 6.3
ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY Rocky Mount 3.1 mi 7.2
Englewood Elementary Rocky Mount 3.2 mi 7.4
Nash Central Middle Nashville 3.3 mi 6.6
Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount 3.6 mi 7.7
ST ANDREW'S ESPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rocky Mount 3.6 mi
Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount 3.7 mi 5.8
Nashville Elementary Nashville 3.8 mi 8.2
G R Edwards Middle Rocky Mount 4.4 mi 3.5
Red Oak Middle Battleboro 5.6 mi 4.3
Nash Everywhere Digital Academy (NEDA) Rocky Mount 4.8 mi
Red Oak Elementary Red Oak 5.8 mi 5.9
Williford Elementary Rocky Mount 4.9 mi 5.9
Coopers Elementary Elm City 5.6 mi 8.2
Tar River Academy Rocky Mount 5.1 mi 6.3
Rocky Mount Middle Rocky Mount 5.2 mi 4.8
CITI High School Rocky Mount 5.2 mi 8.1
OUR LADY PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rocky Mount 5.5 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,837

Median Home Value

$177,600

Median Rent

$977/mo

Population

29,992

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

53.9%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nash Central High has a median household income of $58,837. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,600, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe, NC 6.8
Princeton High Princeton, NC 6.8
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro, NC 6.8
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, NC 6.7
Pisgah High Canton, NC 6.7
Northwood High Pittsboro, NC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nash Central High

What grades does Nash Central High serve?

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

How many students attend Nash Central High?

Nash Central High has an enrollment of approximately 900 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Nash Central High is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nash Central High rank in NC?

Nash Central High is ranked #1152 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Nash Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Nash Central High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Nash Central High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nash Central High has 39.6% math proficiency and 42.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nash Central High a charter school?

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

Is Nash Central High a Title I school?

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

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

65.2% of students at Nash Central 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 (4,793/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
900
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Nash County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nash County Public Schools
District Enrollment
14,568
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,350
District Rank
#11 of 27

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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