Below Average
#2392 of 2,648 schools in NC
North Rowan High
High School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
300 North Whitehead Ave, Spencer, NC 28159
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spencer
#2 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#453 of 579
In district
#22 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
About North Rowan High
North Rowan High is a regular public high school located in Spencer, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 592 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. North Rowan High has 38 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, North Rowan High currently ranks at 1.9 out of 10 and is in the 2nd percentile among all schools in North Carolina. In terms of academic performance, 30% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while only 14% reach proficiency in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on developing comprehensive programs and resources that cater to diverse student needs.
With a strong sense of community support, North Rowan High aims to foster an environment where students can grow both academically and personally. North Rowan High is situated in a large suburban area, providing a blend of urban amenities and the quiet charm of residential neighborhoods. This setting offers students access to local businesses, parks, and cultural events while maintaining a close-knit community feel.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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North Rowan High — Students at North Rowan High score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.3/10.
How North Rowan High Compares
See how North Rowan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 13.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 30.6% (2025).
Location
300 North Whitehead Ave, Spencer, NC 28159
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Rowan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Henderson High (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rowan Co Early College (rated 6.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Rowan High (rated 3.8/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Rowan Middle Spencer | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| North Rowan Elementary Spencer | 0.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Dole Elementary Salisbury | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Henderson High Salisbury | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Overton Elementary Salisbury | 2.6 mi | 3.3 |
| ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury | 3.0 mi | — |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury | 3.8 mi | 3.7 |
| SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.4 mi | — |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 4.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury | 5.0 mi | 6.8 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington | 6.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 6.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
| East Rowan High Salisbury | 7.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 7.7 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28159 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,396
Median Home Value
$160,300
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
Population
3,181
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
62%
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Rowan High has a median household income of $63,396. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,300, with a median rent of $1,042/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bethany Community School Summerfield, NC | 4.3 |
| Riverside High Williamston, NC | 4.3 |
| Shelby High Shelby, NC | 4.3 |
| Trinity High School Trinity, NC | 4.3 |
| South Granville High Creedmoor, NC | 4.2 |
| Albemarle High Albemarle, NC | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Rowan High
What grades does North Rowan High serve?
North Rowan High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Rowan High?
North Rowan High has an enrollment of approximately 592 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Rowan High?
The student-teacher ratio at North Rowan High is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Rowan High rank in NC?
North Rowan High is ranked #2392 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Rowan High's MySchoolScout rating?
North Rowan High has a composite rating of 4.3 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 North Rowan High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Rowan High has 14.3% math proficiency and 29.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Rowan High a charter school?
No, North Rowan High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Rowan High a Title I school?
No, North Rowan High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Rowan High?
97.6% of students at North Rowan 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (524/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 592
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 636-4420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rowan-Salisbury Schools- District Enrollment
- 18,110
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,141
- District Rank
- #22 of 32
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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