Average
#1159 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 44% in state
Rowan Co Early College
High School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
PO Box 1595, Salisbury, NC 28145
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
26.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
26.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salisbury
#2 of 14
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#95 of 579
In district
#7 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Rowan Co Early College
Rowan Co Early College in Salisbury, North Carolina serves 235 students in grades 9-12 as a specialized public high school designed to accelerate student learning. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.1:1, though this higher ratio reflects the unique nature of early college programs where students often engage in dual enrollment coursework. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #292 out of 2,661 high schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.
Students consistently excel academically, with 90% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 80% reach proficiency in mathematics. These strong results reflect the rigorous academic environment typical of early college programs. As an early college model, students have opportunities to earn both high school diplomas and college credits simultaneously, providing a head start on their post-secondary education.
The program attracts motivated students ready to challenge themselves academically and begin their college journey while still in high school. Rowan Co Early College is situated in Salisbury's large suburban setting within Rowan County, providing students with access to both educational resources and community partnerships that support the dual enrollment mission.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Rowan Co Early College is 26.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Rowan Co Early College — Students at Rowan Co Early College score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 5 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Rowan Co Early College Compares
See how Rowan Co Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 68.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74.5% (2019) to 89.5% (2025).
Location
PO Box 1595, Salisbury, NC 28145
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rowan Co Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Henderson High (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Rowan High (rated 4.3/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Spencer), a more accessible option. Additionally, East Rowan High (rated 3.8/10, 4.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salisbury, see our Salisbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury | 2.2 mi | — |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Henderson High Salisbury | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 3.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Overton Elementary Salisbury | 3.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Dole Elementary Salisbury | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 4.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 4.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
| East Rowan High Salisbury | 4.4 mi | 3.8 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 5.2 mi | 7.5 |
| North Rowan High Spencer | 5.0 mi | 4.3 |
| NEHEMIAH ENRICHMENT ACADEMY Salisbury | 4.6 mi | — |
| North Rowan Middle Spencer | 5.4 mi | 4.5 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lee Early College Sanford, NC | 6.8 |
| Reid Ross Classical High Fayetteville, NC | 6.8 |
| Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville, NC | 6.7 |
| FLETCHER ACADEMY Fletcher, NC | 6.7 |
| Hertford Co Early College Ahoskie, NC | 6.7 |
| Onslow Early College Jacksonville, NC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rowan Co Early College
What grades does Rowan Co Early College serve?
Rowan Co Early College serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Rowan Co Early College?
Rowan Co Early College has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rowan Co Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Rowan Co Early College is 26.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rowan Co Early College rank in NC?
Rowan Co Early College is ranked #1159 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Rowan Co Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Rowan Co Early College 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 Rowan Co Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rowan Co Early College has 65.0% math proficiency and 82.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rowan Co Early College a charter school?
No, Rowan Co Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rowan Co Early College a Title I school?
No, Rowan Co Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rowan Co Early College?
97.9% of students at Rowan Co Early College 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
- City Safety
- High (4,950/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salisbury). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 216-3873
- 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
- #7 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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