Photo: Kharris0317 · CC BY-SA 4.0Salisbury’s public schools score below 73% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 31% of Salisbury’s students scored proficient, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salisbury, 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 98% 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.
Salisbury’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 326 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salisbury’s, its schools beat 20%, lower than their 27% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,427 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then six middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
North Hills Christian School (private), Salisbury Academy (private), Sacred Heart Catholic School (private), Essie Academy (private), St. Johns Kindergarten (private) and Salisbury Adventist School (private) are in town. Summit Virtual 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 Salisbury’s grade
C: better than 27% of North Carolina school districts, #260 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salisbury, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Salisbury · depends on your address
Isenberg Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Overton Elementary
Grades K–5 · 237 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Isenberg Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Overton Elementary
Grades K–5 · 237 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Isenberg Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Overton Elementary
Grades K–5 · 237 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Isenberg Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Overton Elementary
Grades K–5 · 237 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Isenberg Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Overton Elementary
Grades K–5 · 237 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Isenberg Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Overton Elementary
Grades K–5 · 237 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Salisbury High
Grades 9–12 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Rowan Co Early College
Grades 9–12 · 235 students · 33:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Salisbury High
Grades 9–12 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Rowan Co Early College
Grades 9–12 · 235 students · 33:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Salisbury High
Grades 9–12 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Rowan Co Early College
Grades 9–12 · 235 students · 33:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
Salisbury High
Grades 9–12 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Rowan Co Early College
Grades 9–12 · 235 students · 33:1 students per teacher
Salisbury’s public schools are run by Rowan-Salisbury Schools, which also serves China Grove, Cleveland, East Spencer and Faith and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
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
Salisbury vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Salisbury’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | C | Rowan-Salisbury Schools |
| Spencer | C | Rowan-Salisbury Schools |
| East Spencer | C | Rowan-Salisbury Schools |
| Granite Quarry | C | Rowan-Salisbury Schools |
All 3 neighbors share Rowan-Salisbury Schools with Salisbury, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Salisbury
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 Salisbury’s schools
Are Salisbury’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salisbury children attend score below 73% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #260 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 20%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salisbury in?
Rowan-Salisbury Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 17,683 students in 32 schools (2024–25).
Where do Salisbury kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Salisbury High and Rowan Co Early College.
What is Salisbury’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Rowan-Salisbury Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Salisbury spend per student?
$13,427 in Rowan-Salisbury Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Salisbury?
Yes: North Hills Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 525 students), Salisbury Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–11, 228 students), Sacred Heart Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 194 students), Essie Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 50 students), St. Johns Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 32 students) and Salisbury Adventist School (religious, grades K–8, 19 students).
Parents talk
What Salisbury families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salisbury → 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.