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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Stanly County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 9,467 students in Stanly County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 70 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Stanly County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Stanly County, NC are Stanly Early College High School, Stanly Stem Early College and Gray Stone Day. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stanly County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Stanly County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Stanly County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Stanly Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
141 College Drive
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4400
Gr: 9-13 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Stanly Stem Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
311 Park Ridge Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4900
Gr: 9-13 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #33.
Gray Stone Day
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
49464 Merner Terrace
Misenheimer, NC 28109
(704) 463-0567
Gr: 6-12 | 728 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Locust Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
103 School Rd
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 961-5500
Gr: K-5 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
West Stanly High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
306 East Red Cross Road
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-5200
Gr: 9-12 | 800 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #66.
South Stanly High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
40488 S Stanly School Rd
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Oakboro Choice Stem
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1244 N Main St
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-4700
Gr: K-8 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Badin Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
47 Henderson St
Badin, NC 28009
(704) 961-3900
Gr: K-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #99.
Millingport Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
24198 Nc Hwy 73 W
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4300
Gr: K-5 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
West Stanly Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
339 Running Creek Church Rd
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 961-3600
Gr: 6-8 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1111.
Stanly Academy Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1121 Austin St
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4500
Gr: 8-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1212.
North Stanly High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
40206 Us Hwy 52 N
New London, NC 28127
(704) 961-4600
Gr: 9-12 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1313.
Stanfield Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
101 W. Montgomery St
Stanfield, NC 28163
(704) 961-5800
Gr: K-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1414.
Richfield Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Morgan Street
Richfield, NC 28137
(704) 961-4800
Gr: K-5 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1515.
Aquadale Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
11707 Nc Hwy 138
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1616.
Albemarle High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
311 Park Ridge Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4200
Gr: 9-12 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1717.
Endy Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
27670 Betty Rd
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3300
Gr: K-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1818.
Norwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 South Main St
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-4000
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1919.
South Stanly Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
12492 Cottonville Road
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-5700
Gr: 6-8 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2020.
North Stanly Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
36605 Old Salisbury Rd
New London, NC 28127
(704) 961-3700
Gr: 6-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2121.
East Albemarle Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1813 E Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3500
Gr: K-5 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2222.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
206 N 3rd Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3200
Gr: K-5 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2323.
Albemarle Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1811 Badin Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3400
Gr: 6-8 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Stanly County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Stanly County, NC include Stanly Early College High School, Stanly Stem Early College and Gray Stone Day.
How many public schools are located in Stanly County?
24 public schools are located in Stanly County.
What percentage of students in Stanly County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Stanly County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Stanly County?
Stanly County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Stanly County are often viewed compared to one another?

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