Reed Gold Mine · Photo: Bang-Ning Hsu from Durham (NC, USA), Taiwan · CC BY-SA 2.0Locust’s public schools outscore 66% of North Carolina districts
On the state math tests, 59% of Locust’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Locust, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Locust’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 299 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Locust’s, its schools beat 81%, higher than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 59% across both districts in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Stanly County Schools spends $11,481 per student and Cabarrus County Schools $11,026, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Carolina Christian School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Locust’s grade
B+: better than 66% of North Carolina school districts, #59 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Locust, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Locust
Locust Elementary
Grades K–5 · 563 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Locust
Locust Elementary
Grades K–5 · 563 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Locust
Locust Elementary
Grades K–5 · 563 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Locust
Locust Elementary
Grades K–5 · 563 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Locust
Locust Elementary
Grades K–5 · 563 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Locust
Locust Elementary
Grades K–5 · 563 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Locust runs its own schools through grade 12 (Stanly County Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Cabarrus County Schools, shared with Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Midland and Mount Pleasant. Its middle school is in Concord. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Locust
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Locust vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Locust’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Locust | B+ | Stanly County Schools PK–12 · Cabarrus County Schools PK–12 |
| Stanfield | B− | Stanly County Schools |
| Midland | B+ | Cabarrus County Schools |
| Red Cross | — | Stanly County Schools |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Stanly County Schools with Locust for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Locust
34 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Locust’s schools
Are Locust’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Locust children attend outscore 66% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #59 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Locust in?
Two districts: Stanly County Schools runs grades PK–12, and Cabarrus County Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Midland and Mount Pleasant.
Where do Locust kids go to high school?
One of 17 high schools, depending on your address: Cox Mill High School, Hickory Ridge High, West Cabarrus High, Central Cabarrus High, Jay M Robinson High, Northwest Cabarrus High, Concord High, Mount Pleasant High, West Stanly High, North Stanly High, South Stanly High, Albemarle High, Cabarrus Early College of Technology, Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early Coll, Stanly STEM Early College, Stanly Early College High and Cabarrus Health Sciences Institute.
What is Locust’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Cabarrus County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Locust spend per student?
$11,481 in Stanly County Schools and $11,026 in Cabarrus County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Locust?
Yes: Carolina Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 247 students).
Parents talk
What Locust families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Locust → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.