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Below Average

#2344 of 2,648 schools in NC

West Rowan High

High School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools

8050 NC 801 Hwy, Mount Ulla, NC 28125

Enrollment

1,105

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,344 of 2,648

In Mount Ulla

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#19 of 32

Rowan-Salisbury Schools

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West Rowan High

4.1/10

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

West Rowan Elementary

7.9/10

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

West Rowan Middle

2.6/10

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

About West Rowan High

West Rowan High is a public high school in Mount Ulla, NC, part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools. West Rowan High serves approximately 1,105 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. West Rowan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,344 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Rowan High show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

West Rowan 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.

49% of students at West Rowan High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-25.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,141
Chronic Absenteeism49.2%

West Rowan High — Students at West Rowan High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 47.0% (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
65%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2025
Math
30.3%
ELA
42.9%

* 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 West Rowan High Compares

See how West Rowan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
12th percentile in NC
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
9
5 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
8.9% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
5 boys'·4 girls'·19 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

8050 NC 801 Hwy, Mount Ulla, NC 28125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Rowan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Rowan High (rated 4.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby China Grove), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Salisbury High (rated 2.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mount Ulla, see our Mount Ulla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West Rowan Elementary Cleveland 2.9 mi 7.9
West Rowan Middle Salisbury 3.4 mi 2.6
Mt Ulla Elementary Mount Ulla 4.7 mi 8.5
Hurley Elementary Salisbury 4.7 mi 2.3
NEHEMIAH ENRICHMENT ACADEMY Salisbury 5.9 mi
Millbridge Elementary China Grove 6.8 mi 6.8
Knollwood Elementary Salisbury 7.0 mi 3.0
South Rowan High China Grove 8.9 mi 4.2
SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury 7.5 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury 7.6 mi 7.5
Isenberg Elementary Salisbury 7.8 mi 5.3
China Grove Middle China Grove 9.4 mi 4.3
China Grove Elementary China Grove 9.7 mi 3.6
Landis Elementary Landis 10.1 mi 8.2
Cooleemee Elementary Cooleemee 9.5 mi 5.6
Corriher Lipe Middle Landis 10.7 mi 4.1
NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury 9.1 mi 7.6
Salisbury High Salisbury 9.2 mi 2.6
Southeast Middle Salisbury 9.8 mi 2.5
East Mooresville Intermediate Mooresville 10.0 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,894

Median Home Value

$305,400

Median Rent

$1,083/mo

Population

2,769

College Educated

28.9%

Homeownership

87.5%

Poverty Rate

1.4%

Median Age

44.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Monroe High Monroe, NC 4.1
Northeast Guilford High Mcleansville, NC 4.1
Seventy-First High Fayetteville, NC 4.1
Southeast Raleigh High Raleigh, NC 4.1
West Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC 4.1
Douglas Byrd High Fayetteville, NC 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Rowan High

What grades does West Rowan High serve?

West Rowan High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Rowan High?

West Rowan High has an enrollment of approximately 1,105 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Rowan High?

The student-teacher ratio at West Rowan High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Rowan High rank in NC?

West Rowan High ranks #2,344 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Rowan High's MySchoolScout rating?

West Rowan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 West Rowan High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Rowan High has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Rowan High a charter school?

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

Is West Rowan High a Title I school?

No, West Rowan High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Rowan High?

96.5% of students at West 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,105
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Rowan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.2%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

Rowan-Salisbury Schools
District Enrollment
18,110
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,141
District Rank
#19 of 32

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