Needs Improvement
#2561 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
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dobson
#7 of 7
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#542 of 579
In district
#20 of 20
Surry County Schools
About Surry Central High
Surry Central High is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Dobson, North Carolina. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 668 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Surry Central High aims to provide personalized attention to its diverse student body.
Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10, placing it in the 28th percentile among North Carolina schools. In English Language Arts and Reading, 46% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 58% meet proficiency standards. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Surry Central High is committed to supporting its students' academic development.
Surrounded by a rural setting, the school benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports student growth both inside and outside the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Surry Central 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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Surry Central High — Students at Surry Central High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
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: 1.6/10.
How Surry Central High Compares
See how Surry Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 24.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 53.8% (2025).
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 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Surry High (rated 4.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mount Airy High (rated 3.9/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), with a very similar 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 | 6.4 |
| SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Dobson Elementary Dobson | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Rockford Elementary Dobson | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Middle Dobson | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Surry Online Magnet School Dobson | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Copeland Elementary Dobson | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| White Plains Elementary Mount Airy | 5.3 mi | 6.0 |
| WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy | 7.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy | 7.7 mi | 7.1 |
| North Surry High Mount Airy | 8.8 mi | 4.1 |
| J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Franklin Elementary Mount Airy | 8.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Mountain Park Elementary State Road | 7.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Boonville Elementary Boonville | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap | 10.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy | 9.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy | 10.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy | 10.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy | 11.4 mi | 3.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Surry Central High has a median household income of $57,087. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,800, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver High Winston-Salem, NC | 3.6 |
| South Lenoir High Deep Run, NC | 3.6 |
| West Bladen High Bladenboro, NC | 3.6 |
| West Columbus High Cerro Gordo, NC | 3.6 |
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden, NC | 3.7 |
| Cochrane Collegiate Academy Charlotte, NC | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #2561 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Surry Central High's MySchoolScout rating?
Surry Central High has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Surry Central High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surry Central High has 49.6% math proficiency and 45.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (718/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (336) 386-8842
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Surry County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,352
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,301
- District Rank
- #20 of 20
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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