Needs Improvement
#2540 of 2,648 schools in NC
Salisbury High
High School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
500 Lincolnton Rd, Salisbury, NC 28144
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salisbury
#11 of 14
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#531 of 579
In district
#26 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
About Salisbury High
Salisbury High serves 1,014 students in grades 9-12 in Salisbury, North Carolina, operating as a regular public school in Rowan County's large suburban setting. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.1 to 1. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in student achievement.
Currently, 36% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 19% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These results place Salisbury High in the bottom percentile of North Carolina high schools, ranking #2602 out of 2661 schools statewide. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $50,938, with nearly a quarter of residents experiencing economic hardship.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 28% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Housing remains relatively affordable, with median home values around $191,100. Despite current academic performance indicators, Salisbury High continues to serve as an important educational institution for families in this community of over 27,000 residents.
The school is situated in a large suburban area that provides students with access to both community resources and the cultural opportunities that come with living in an established North Carolina town.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Salisbury High — Students at Salisbury High score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 3.9/10.
How Salisbury High Compares
See how Salisbury High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 16.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 35.9% (2025).
Location
500 Lincolnton Rd, Salisbury, NC 28144
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salisbury High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Henderson High (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rowan Co Early College (rated 6.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Rowan High (rated 4.3/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Spencer), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salisbury, see our Salisbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury | 0.8 mi | — |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Overton Elementary Salisbury | 1.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Henderson High Salisbury | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury | 2.6 mi | — |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Dole Elementary Salisbury | 3.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury | 4.1 mi | 3.2 |
| North Rowan High Spencer | 3.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
| North Rowan Middle Spencer | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| North Rowan Elementary Spencer | 4.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| NEHEMIAH ENRICHMENT ACADEMY Salisbury | 4.5 mi | — |
| Hurley Elementary Salisbury | 4.8 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,432
Median Home Value
$205,900
Median Rent
$982/mo
Population
27,238
College Educated
27.4%
Homeownership
54.1%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
26.1%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Salisbury High has a median household income of $51,432. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,900, with a median rent of $982/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden, NC | 3.7 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly, NC | 3.7 |
| Havelock High Havelock, NC | 3.7 |
| James Hunt High Wilson, NC | 3.7 |
| North Gaston High Dallas, NC | 3.7 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville, NC | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salisbury High
What grades does Salisbury High serve?
Salisbury High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Salisbury High?
Salisbury High has an enrollment of approximately 1,014 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salisbury High?
The student-teacher ratio at Salisbury High is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Salisbury High rank in NC?
Salisbury High is ranked #2540 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Salisbury High's MySchoolScout rating?
Salisbury High has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Salisbury High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salisbury High has 20.1% math proficiency and 37.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Salisbury High a charter school?
No, Salisbury High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Salisbury High a Title I school?
No, Salisbury High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salisbury High?
99.4% of students at Salisbury 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salisbury). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,014
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 636-1221
- 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
- #26 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.