Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Stanly County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
23
Schools
8,643
Students
$12,039
Per-Pupil Spend
-16% nat'l
75.1%
Free Lunch Rate
+23pp vs nat'l
91.4%
Graduation Rate
+4.9pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Stanly County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 8,643 students across 23 schools. It includes 11 elementary, 4 middle, 7 high schools. Its graduation rate of 91.4% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $12,039 is below the national average for a US public school district. 75% 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 43/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (23)
Elementary Schools11 schools
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Albemarle Middle06–08409
North Stanly Middle06–08487
South Stanly Middle06–08353
West Stanly Middle School06–08619
High Schools7 schools
Other School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Stanly County Virtual Education01–12165
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$12,039-16% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
60%
19%
State
60.2%
Local (property tax)
18.7%
Federal
21.1%

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
23
Schools
8,643
Students
75%
Free Lunch
$12K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate91.4%
Opportunity Score43/100
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
91.4% graduation rate — 4.9 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 23 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Below-average per-pupil spending
At $12,039, spending is 16% below the national average — which can limit staffing and resources.
High economic need in community
75% 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 Stanly County Schools?
Stanly County Schools has 23 public schools, serving a total of 8,643 students.
What is the graduation rate for Stanly County Schools?
The graduation rate is 91.4%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Stanly County Schools spend per student?
Stanly County Schools spends $12,039 per pupil — 16% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Stanly County Schools?
75% of students in Stanly County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Stanly County Schools?
No, Stanly County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Stanly County Schools serve?
Stanly County Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Stanly County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Stanly County Schools is 43/100. 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.