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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.9%
Math vs. State Avg-45.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,832

West Rowan High — Students at West Rowan High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 22.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2025
Math
10.5%
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: 2.5/10.

How West Rowan High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in NC
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (524/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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