Below Average
#2343 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
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,343 of 2,648
In Spencer
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#18 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
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North Rowan High
High School in Spencer · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Rowan Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Rowan Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Rowan High
North Rowan High is a public high school in Spencer, NC, part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools. North Rowan High serves approximately 592 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. North Rowan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,343 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for North Rowan High show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 5.0
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
60% of students at North Rowan High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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: 47%).
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 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.7/10.
How North Rowan High Compares
See how North Rowan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Rowan Co Early College (rated 8.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Rowan High (rated 5.6/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Henderson High (rated 5.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.1 |
| North Rowan Elementary Spencer | 0.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Dole Elementary Salisbury | 1.9 mi | 2.6 |
| Henderson High Salisbury | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Overton Elementary Salisbury | 2.6 mi | 2.2 |
| ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury | 3.0 mi | — |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury | 3.8 mi | 2.6 |
| SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.4 mi | — |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury | 5.0 mi | 8.0 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington | 6.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 6.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 6.3 mi | 2.0 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury | 7.1 mi | 3.5 |
| East Rowan High Salisbury | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 7.7 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Riverside High Williamston, NC | 4.1 |
| West Columbus High Cerro Gordo, NC | 4.1 |
| John M Morehead High Eden, NC | 4.2 |
| South Columbus High Tabor City, NC | 4.2 |
| SouthWest Edgecombe High Pinetops, NC | 4.2 |
| Starmount High Boonville, NC | 4.2 |
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 ranks #2,343 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Rowan High's MySchoolScout rating?
North Rowan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Rowan High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Rowan High has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 60.3%
- Phone
- (704) 636-4420
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Rowan-Salisbury Schools- District Enrollment
- 18,110
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,141
- District Rank
- #18 of 32
Other Schools in This District
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