Needs Improvement
#2501 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Rowan High
High School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
1655 Patterson St, China Grove, NC 28023
Enrollment
989
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
989
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In China Grove
#5 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#508 of 579
In district
#24 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
About South Rowan High
South Rowan High serves 989 students in grades 9-12 in China Grove, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 and 56 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is currently facing academic challenges, with room for significant growth in both English Language Arts, where 38% of students score proficient or above, and mathematics, where 26% achieve proficiency. These performance levels place South Rowan High in the 9th percentile among North Carolina's high schools.
The school operates as a regular public institution in Rowan County, focusing on serving its diverse student body through traditional high school programming. With nearly 1,000 students, South Rowan High maintains a substantial presence in the community while working to improve student outcomes across all grade levels. The school draws from the China Grove area, where the median household income is $57,670 and the poverty rate stands at 13.7%.
The surrounding 28023 ZIP code is home to approximately 15,700 residents, with median home values around $181,600. About 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. South Rowan High sits in this large suburban community, serving families in an established residential area of Rowan County.
Score Breakdown
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South Rowan High — Students at South Rowan High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.6%
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: 3.2/10.
How South Rowan High Compares
See how South Rowan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 15.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 38.2% (2025).
Location
1655 Patterson St, China Grove, NC 28023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Rowan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Carson High (rated 5.5/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, A L Brown High (rated 3.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Kannapolis), with a comparable rating. For more schools in China Grove, see our China Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Landis Elementary Landis | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| China Grove Elementary China Grove | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Corriher Lipe Middle Landis | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| China Grove Middle China Grove | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Millbridge Elementary China Grove | 3.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Knollwood Elementary Salisbury | 3.6 mi | 3.6 |
| NORTH KANNAPOLIS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kannapolis | 4.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Carson High China Grove | 3.7 mi | 5.5 |
| North Kannapolis Elementary Kannapolis | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Jackson Park Elementary Kannapolis | 4.8 mi | 8.5 |
| A L Brown High Kannapolis | 5.3 mi | 3.4 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kannapolis | 5.5 mi | 5.3 |
| GW Carver Elementary Kannapolis | 5.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove | 5.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Fred L Wilson Elementary Kannapolis | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| NEHEMIAH ENRICHMENT ACADEMY Salisbury | 5.8 mi | — |
| Forest Park Elementary Kannapolis | 6.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Shady Brook Elementary Kannapolis | 7.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Royal Oaks Elementary Kannapolis | 7.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury | 6.2 mi | 3.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,064
Median Home Value
$209,700
Median Rent
$942/mo
Population
15,255
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Rowan High has a median household income of $62,064. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,700, with a median rent of $942/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Clinton High Clinton, NC | 3.9 |
| Graham High Graham, NC | 3.9 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point, NC | 3.9 |
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy, NC | 3.9 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton, NC | 3.9 |
| North Moore High Robbins, NC | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Rowan High
What grades does South Rowan High serve?
South Rowan High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Rowan High?
South Rowan High has an enrollment of approximately 989 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Rowan High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Rowan High is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Rowan High rank in NC?
South Rowan High is ranked #2501 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Rowan High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Rowan High has a composite rating of 3.9 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 South Rowan High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Rowan High has 22.8% math proficiency and 36.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Rowan High a charter school?
No, South Rowan High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Rowan High a Title I school?
No, South Rowan High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Rowan High?
96.6% of students at South 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (China Grove). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 989
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 857-1161
- 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
- #24 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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