Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Rowan-Salisbury Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
33
Schools
18,225
Students
$12,322
Per-Pupil Spend
-14% nat'l
66.0%
Free Lunch Rate
+14pp vs nat'l
86.4%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Rowan-Salisbury Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 18,225 students across 33 schools. It includes 18 elementary, 7 middle, 8 high schools. Its graduation rate of 86.4% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $12,322 is below the national average for a US public school district. 66% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 35/100.

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All Schools (33)
Middle Schools7 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
China Grove Middle06–08524
Corriher Lipe Middle06–08476
Erwin Middle06–08759
Knox Middle06–08514
North Rowan Middle06–08440
Southeast Middle06–08559
West Rowan Middle06–08648
High Schools8 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Carson High09–121,170
East Rowan High09–121,032
Henderson High06–1234
North Rowan High09–12589
Rowan Co Early College09–12236
Salisbury High09–12959
South Rowan High09–12952
West Rowan High09–121,113
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$12,322-14% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
60%
19%
State
60.4%
Local (property tax)
18.6%
Federal
21.0%

State funding accounts for 60% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
33
Schools
18,225
Students
66%
Free Lunch
$12K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate86.4%
Opportunity Score35/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 33 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
66% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
21% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Rowan-Salisbury Schools?
Rowan-Salisbury Schools has 33 public schools, serving a total of 18,225 students.
What is the graduation rate for Rowan-Salisbury Schools?
The graduation rate is 86.4%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Rowan-Salisbury Schools spend per student?
Rowan-Salisbury Schools spends $12,322 per pupil — 14% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Rowan-Salisbury Schools?
66% of students in Rowan-Salisbury Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Rowan-Salisbury Schools?
No, Rowan-Salisbury Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Rowan-Salisbury Schools serve?
Rowan-Salisbury Schools serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Rowan-Salisbury Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Rowan-Salisbury Schools is 35/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.