Needs Improvement
#2635 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Stanly High
High School · Stanly County Schools
40488 S Stanly School Rd, Norwood, NC 28128
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norwood
#4 of 4
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#577 of 579
In district
#22 of 22
Stanly County Schools
About South Stanly High
South Stanly High is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Norwood, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, South Stanly High has an enrollment of 434 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.7:1. The school has 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse academic programs.
South Stanly High’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it in the 36th percentile among North Carolina schools. Academically, the school scores a 5.6 out of 10 on the MySchoolScout scale. Test performance shows that 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 54% in math.
While these numbers indicate areas where the school is working to improve, South Stanly High remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment for all its students. South Stanly High stands out as a community hub within Norwood’s rural setting, offering a nurturing atmosphere for young adults to grow academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Stanly High 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
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South Stanly High — Students at South Stanly High score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.8%
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
↓ 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: 2.0/10.
How South Stanly High Compares
See how South Stanly High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 24.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 46.6% (2025).
Location
40488 S Stanly School Rd, Norwood, NC 28128
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Stanly High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Stanly STEM Early College (rated 7.5/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Albemarle), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stanly Early College High (rated 7.2/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Albemarle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Stanly High (rated 4.9/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Oakboro), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norwood, see our Norwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Stanly Middle Norwood | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| TILLERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwood | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Norwood Elementary Norwood | 2.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle | 8.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Albemarle Middle Albemarle | 8.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Central Elementary Albemarle | 8.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Stanly Early College High Albemarle | 8.5 mi | 7.2 |
| STRAITWAY BAPTIST SCHOOL Albemarle | 9.4 mi | — |
| Ansonville Elementary Wadesboro | 9.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Endy Elementary Albemarle | 8.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Stanly Academy Learning Center Albemarle | 9.5 mi | — |
| Stanly County Virtual Education Albemarle | 9.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Albemarle High Albemarle | 9.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle | 9.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Mount Gilead Elementary Mount Gilead | 9.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Oakboro Choice STEM Oakboro | 9.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Badin Elementary Badin | 12.2 mi | 8.8 |
| West Stanly High Oakboro | 10.6 mi | 4.9 |
| North Stanly Middle New London | 13.0 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28128 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,941
Median Home Value
$179,700
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
7,610
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
69.7%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Stanly High has a median household income of $59,941. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,700, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Starmount High Boonville, NC | 2.7 |
| Tarboro High Tarboro, NC | 3.0 |
| Thomasville High Thomasville, NC | 3.0 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City, NC | 3.1 |
| West Columbus High Cerro Gordo, NC | 3.6 |
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw, NC | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Stanly High
What grades does South Stanly High serve?
South Stanly High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Stanly High?
South Stanly High has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Stanly High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Stanly High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Stanly High rank in NC?
South Stanly High is ranked #2635 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Stanly High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Stanly High has a composite rating of 2.8 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 South Stanly High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Stanly High has 41.1% math proficiency and 45.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Stanly High a charter school?
No, South Stanly High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Stanly High a Title I school?
No, South Stanly High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Stanly High?
58.8% of students at South Stanly 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 434
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stanly County
- Phone
- (704) 961-4100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Stanly County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,739
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,914
- District Rank
- #22 of 22
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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