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Southern Railway Spencer ShopsSouthern Railway Spencer Shops · Photo: Ted Abbott · CC BY-SA 2.0
C
Schools in Spencer · Rowan-Salisbury Schools

Spencer’s public schools score below 73% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation

In Spencer, 31% of tested students are proficient in math, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Spencer, 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.

#260of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
35%
▼ 15 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▼ 20 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
88%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.4K
▲ 3% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.9
NC 16.0 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
1,609 students on the public path
In brief

Spencer’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 326 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Spencer’s, its schools beat 13%, 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 ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is North Rowan Middle, then North Rowan High. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Spencer’s grade

C− Test scoresB Graduation

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.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 27%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (326)Better than 13%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 9,050 test results and a graduating class of 1,511 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Spencer’s students in the tested grades sat them (8,593 in math, 9,507 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Spencer, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5North Rowan ElementaryRowan-Salisbury SchoolsD
6–8North Rowan MiddleRowan-Salisbury SchoolsD
9–12North Rowan HighRowan-Salisbury SchoolsD

Spencer’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.

Rowan-Salisbury SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 32 schools · 17,683 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 17.9 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$13,427NC $13,045 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading35%
State average 49.9% · 9507 students tested
Math31%
State average 50.8% · 8593 students tested

Spencer vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Spencer’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SpencerCRowan-Salisbury Schools
SalisburyCRowan-Salisbury Schools
East SpencerCRowan-Salisbury Schools

All 2 neighbors share Rowan-Salisbury Schools with Spencer, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Spencer

3 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).

District schools in Spencerby address
North Rowan Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
405 students15:1Rate it →
North Rowan Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
D
649 students15:1Rate it →
North Rowan High
High · Grades 9–12
D
555 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Spencer’s schools

Are Spencer’s schools good?

On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Spencer 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 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Spencer in?

Rowan-Salisbury Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 17,683 students in 32 schools (2024–25).

Where do Spencer kids go to high school?

North Rowan High, with 555 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Spencer’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 Spencer spend per student?

$13,427 in Rowan-Salisbury Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Spencer families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Spencer → 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.