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Average

#1733 of 2,648 schools in NC

Surry Central High

High School · Surry County Schools

716 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017

Enrollment

668

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,733 of 2,648

In Dobson

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#17 of 20

Surry County Schools

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Surry Central High

5.6/10

High School in Dobson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Surry Early College

8.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Salem Christian Academy

4.9/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Surry Central High

Surry Central High is a public high school in Dobson, NC, part of Surry County Schools. Surry Central High serves approximately 668 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Surry Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,733 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Surry Central High show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Surry Central High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-5.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness6.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation5.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,301
Chronic Absenteeism26.9%

Surry Central High — Students at Surry Central High score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
50.6%
ELA
53.8%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Surry Central High Compares

See how Surry Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in NC
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
5.6/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3
Sports
12
5 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
5.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
5 boys'·7 girls'·18 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

716 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Surry Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Surry Early College (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mount Airy High (rated 6.9/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Surry High (rated 5.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dobson, see our Dobson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Surry Early College Dobson 0.2 mi 8.1
SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson 0.8 mi 4.9
Dobson Elementary Dobson 1.1 mi 7.8
Rockford Elementary Dobson 1.4 mi 7.5
Central Middle Dobson 1.5 mi 5.9
Surry Online Magnet School Dobson 1.5 mi 6.1
Copeland Elementary Dobson 4.8 mi 7.5
White Plains Elementary Mount Airy 5.3 mi 7.5
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 7.0 mi 6.3
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy 7.7 mi 6.7
North Surry High Mount Airy 8.8 mi 5.1
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy 8.8 mi 6.6
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 8.8 mi 6.9
Mountain Park Elementary State Road 7.6 mi 8.7
Boonville Elementary Boonville 10.4 mi 4.9
Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap 10.0 mi 5.6
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 9.8 mi 6.8
Mount Airy High Mount Airy 10.6 mi 6.9
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 10.5 mi 6.6
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 11.4 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,087

Median Home Value

$138,800

Median Rent

$676/mo

Population

9,594

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

37.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Clinton High Clinton, NC 5.6
Heide Trask High Rocky Point, NC 5.6
Hertford County High Ahoskie, NC 5.6
Murphy High Murphy, NC 5.6
Bartlett Yancey High Yanceyville, NC 5.5
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford, NC 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Surry Central High

What grades does Surry Central High serve?

Surry Central High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Surry Central High?

Surry Central High has an enrollment of approximately 668 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Surry Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Surry Central High is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Surry Central High rank in NC?

Surry Central High ranks #1,733 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Surry Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Surry Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Surry Central High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Surry Central High has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Surry Central High a charter school?

No, Surry Central High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Surry Central High a Title I school?

No, Surry Central High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Surry Central High?

64.7% of students at Surry Central 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Surry County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.9%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Surry County Schools
District Enrollment
7,352
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,301
District Rank
#17 of 20

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