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Average

#1965 of 2,648 schools in NC

Porter Ridge High School

High School · Union County Public Schools

2839 Ridge Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Enrollment

1,766

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indian Trail

#8 of 8

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#290 of 579

In district

#43 of 52

Union County Public Schools

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Porter Ridge High School

Porter Ridge High School serves 1,766 students in grades 9-12 in Indian Trail, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1 across 90 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #559 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 79th percentile among North Carolina high schools. The school's academic achievements are particularly noteworthy, with an impressive 9.0 out of 10 academic score.

Students perform well across core subjects, with 73% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 69% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. Porter Ridge High School draws from an affluent community in the 28079 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $94,991 and the median home value is $311,500.

The surrounding population of 40,539 residents includes 40% with bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 4.7%. The school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to broader educational and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Porter Ridge High School 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 Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.6%
Math vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness6.0Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,010

Porter Ridge High School — Students at Porter Ridge High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.5%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.9%
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
59%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
54.6%
ELA
72.6%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Porter Ridge High School Compares

See how Porter Ridge High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
90 teachers

Location

2839 Ridge Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Porter Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Union County Early College (rated 6.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Piedmont High (rated 4.4/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sun Valley High (rated 4.1/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Monroe), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indian Trail, see our Indian Trail schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Porter Ridge Middle School Indian Trail 0.2 mi 6.1
Porter Ridge Elementary Indian Trail 0.2 mi 7.2
Poplin Elementary Indian Trail 1.5 mi 6.4
Hemby Bridge Elementary Indian Trail 2.7 mi 7.2
Sardis Elementary Monroe 3.0 mi 7.4
Unionville Elementary Monroe 3.7 mi 6.7
Monroe Charter Academy Monroe 5.1 mi 2.6
Union Prep Academy at Indian Trail Indian Trail 4.2 mi 6.0
Union County Early College Monroe 4.9 mi 6.6
FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monroe 5.3 mi 7.2
Fairview Elementary Monroe 5.2 mi 8.2
Piedmont Middle Monroe 4.6 mi 5.9
Piedmont High Monroe 4.7 mi 4.4
METROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indian Trail 4.7 mi 4.3
METROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indian Trail 4.7 mi 3.9
Sun Valley High Monroe 5.0 mi 4.1
Sun Valley Middle Indian Trail 5.5 mi 7.5
Shiloh Valley Primary School Monroe 5.5 mi 6.2
Stallings Elementary Stallings 5.3 mi 7.5
Shiloh Valley Elementary Monroe 5.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,602

Median Home Value

$352,000

Median Rent

$1,895/mo

Population

40,820

College Educated

40.7%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Porter Ridge High School has a median household income of $97,602. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,000, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Athens Drive High Raleigh, NC 5.4
Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro, NC 5.4
East Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Harding University High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Middle Creek High Apex, NC 5.4
North Lincoln High Lincolnton, NC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Porter Ridge High School

What grades does Porter Ridge High School serve?

Porter Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Porter Ridge High School?

Porter Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,766 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Porter Ridge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Porter Ridge High School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Porter Ridge High School rank in NC?

Porter Ridge High School is ranked #1965 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Porter Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Porter Ridge High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Porter Ridge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Porter Ridge High School has 60.5% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Porter Ridge High School a charter school?

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

Is Porter Ridge High School a Title I school?

No, Porter Ridge High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Porter Ridge High School?

35.4% of students at Porter Ridge High School 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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (591/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,766
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
90
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Union County Public Schools
District Enrollment
41,687
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,340
District Rank
#43 of 52

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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