Needs Improvement
#2588 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
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,105
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mount Ulla
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#554 of 579
In district
#30 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
About West Rowan High
West Rowan High School serves 1,105 students in grades 9 through 12 in Mount Ulla, North Carolina. With 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, providing a reasonably sized learning environment for high school students. The school faces academic challenges and has significant room for growth in student achievement.
Currently, 43% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 20% show proficiency in mathematics. These performance levels place West Rowan High at #2509 out of 2661 schools statewide, indicating the school is focusing on improving educational outcomes for its students. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $76,798 and the poverty rate remains low at just 2.2%.
The area shows a median home value of $234,500, reflecting a working-class community with solid economic foundations. About 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting opportunities for the school to build stronger college preparation pathways. West Rowan High School sits along NC Highway 801 in a rural setting near town, serving families in this close-knit North Carolina community where students can benefit from small-town connections while working toward improved academic achievement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Rowan 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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West Rowan High — Students at West 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
96.5%
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: 2.5/10.
How West Rowan High Compares
See how West Rowan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 10.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 42.9% (2025).
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 3.9/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby China Grove), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Salisbury High (rated 3.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Salisbury), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.6 |
| West Rowan Middle Salisbury | 3.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Mt Ulla Elementary Mount Ulla | 4.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Hurley Elementary Salisbury | 4.7 mi | 4.4 |
| NEHEMIAH ENRICHMENT ACADEMY Salisbury | 5.9 mi | — |
| Millbridge Elementary China Grove | 6.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Knollwood Elementary Salisbury | 7.0 mi | 3.6 |
| South Rowan High China Grove | 8.9 mi | 3.9 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 7.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| China Grove Middle China Grove | 9.4 mi | 5.3 |
| China Grove Elementary China Grove | 9.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Landis Elementary Landis | 10.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Cooleemee Elementary Cooleemee | 9.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Corriher Lipe Middle Landis | 10.7 mi | 5.4 |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 9.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury | 9.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury | 9.8 mi | 3.2 |
| East Mooresville Intermediate Mooresville | 10.0 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Rowan High has a median household income of $83,894. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $305,400, with a median rent of $1,083/month. The local poverty rate of 1.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Davidson High Thomasville, NC | 3.4 |
| Forbush High East Bend, NC | 3.4 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville, NC | 3.4 |
| Cochrane Collegiate Academy Charlotte, NC | 3.5 |
| Douglas Byrd High Fayetteville, NC | 3.5 |
| Scotland High School Laurinburg, NC | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #2588 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Rowan High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Rowan High has a composite rating of 3.4 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 West Rowan High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Rowan High has 22.2% math proficiency and 39.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (704) 278-9233
- 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
- #30 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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