Photo: Harris Walker · CC BY 2.0Rocky Mount’s public schools score below 79% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
29% of students in Rocky Mount’s public schools are proficient in math, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Rocky Mount, 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.
Rocky Mount’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 324 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rocky Mount’s, its schools beat 10%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools spends $12,339 per student and Edgecombe County Schools $15,145, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rocky Mount Preparatory, Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic School (private), St. Andrew's Espiscopal School (private) and Rocky Mount Academy (private) are in town. Nash Everywhere Digital Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Rocky Mount’s grade
C−: better than 21% of North Carolina school districts, #280 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rocky Mount, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Rocky Mount
Fairview Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 255 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount Middle
Grades 6–8 · 692 students · 20:1 students per teacher
J W Parker Middle
Grades 6–8 · 336 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount Middle
Grades 6–8 · 692 students · 20:1 students per teacher
J W Parker Middle
Grades 6–8 · 336 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount Middle
Grades 6–8 · 692 students · 20:1 students per teacher
J W Parker Middle
Grades 6–8 · 336 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount High
Grades 9–12 · 1,023 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Nash Central High
Grades 9–12 · 703 students · 22:1 students per teacher
EDGE Academy of Health Sciences
Grades 9–11 · 75 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount High
Grades 9–12 · 1,023 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Nash Central High
Grades 9–12 · 703 students · 22:1 students per teacher
EDGE Academy of Health Sciences
Grades 9–11 · 75 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount High
Grades 9–12 · 1,023 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Nash Central High
Grades 9–12 · 703 students · 22:1 students per teacher
EDGE Academy of Health Sciences
Grades 9–11 · 75 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Rocky Mount · depends on your address
Rocky Mount High
Grades 9–12 · 1,023 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Nash Central High
Grades 9–12 · 703 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Rocky Mount runs its own schools through grade 12 (Nash-Rocky Mount Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Edgecombe County Schools, shared with Conetoe, Leggett, Macclesfield, Pinetops, Princeville, Sharpsburg, Speed, Tarboro and Whitakers. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Rocky Mount
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Rocky Mount vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Rocky Mount’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | C− | Nash-Rocky Mount Schools PK–12 · Edgecombe County Schools PK–12 |
| Dortches | C− | Nash-Rocky Mount Schools |
Every school in Rocky Mount
18 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 Rocky Mount’s schools
Are Rocky Mount’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rocky Mount children attend score below 79% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #280 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rocky Mount in?
Two districts: Nash-Rocky Mount Schools runs grades PK–12, and Edgecombe County Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Conetoe, Leggett, Macclesfield, Pinetops, Princeville, Sharpsburg, Speed, Tarboro and Whitakers.
Where do Rocky Mount kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Rocky Mount High, Nash Central High and EDGE Academy of Health Sciences.
What is Rocky Mount’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Rocky Mount spend per student?
$12,339 in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools and $15,145 in Edgecombe County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rocky Mount?
Yes: Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 120 students), St. Andrew's Espiscopal School (religious, grades PK–K, 39 students) and Rocky Mount Academy (nonsectarian, grades 1, 25 students). Rocky Mount also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Rocky Mount families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rocky Mount → 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.