For the 2025 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 9,467 students in Stanly County, NC (there are , serving 457 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Stanly County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Schools in Stanly County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Stanly Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
141 College Drive
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4400
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4400
Grades: 9-13
| 173 students
Rank: #22.
Stanly Stem Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
311 Park Ridge Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4900
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4900
Grades: 9-13
| 172 students
Rank: #33.
Gray Stone Day
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
49464 Merner Terrace
Misenheimer, NC 28109
(704) 463-0567
Misenheimer, NC 28109
(704) 463-0567
Grades: 6-12
| 762 students
Rank: #44.
Locust Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
103 School Rd
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 961-5500
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 961-5500
Grades: K-5
| 526 students
Rank: #55.
West Stanly High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 East Red Cross Road
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-5200
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-5200
Grades: 9-12
| 785 students
Rank: #66.
South Stanly High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
40488 S Stanly School Rd
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-4100
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-4100
Grades: 9-12
| 434 students
Rank: #77.
Oakboro Choice Stem
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1244 N Main St
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-4700
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-4700
Grades: K-8
| 362 students
Rank: #88.
Badin Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
47 Henderson St
Badin, NC 28009
(704) 961-3900
Badin, NC 28009
(704) 961-3900
Grades: K-5
| 426 students
Rank: #99.
Millingport Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
24198 Nc Hwy 73 W
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4300
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4300
Grades: K-5
| 203 students
Rank: #1010.
West Stanly Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
339 Running Creek Church Rd
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 961-3600
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 961-3600
Grades: 6-8
| 633 students
Rank: #1111.
Stanly Academy Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1121 Austin St
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4500
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4500
Grades: 8-12
| 11 students
Rank: #1212.
North Stanly High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
40206 Us Hwy 52 N
New London, NC 28127
(704) 961-4600
New London, NC 28127
(704) 961-4600
Grades: 9-12
| 578 students
Rank: #1313.
Stanfield Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 W. Montgomery St
Stanfield, NC 28163
(704) 961-5800
Stanfield, NC 28163
(704) 961-5800
Grades: K-5
| 448 students
Rank: #1414.
Richfield Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
120 Morgan Street
Richfield, NC 28137
(704) 961-4800
Richfield, NC 28137
(704) 961-4800
Grades: K-5
| 323 students
Rank: #1515.
Aquadale Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
11707 Nc Hwy 138
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-5600
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-5600
Grades: PK-5
| 354 students
Rank: #1616.
Albemarle High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
311 Park Ridge Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4200
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4200
Grades: 9-12
| 444 students
Rank: #1717.
Endy Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
27670 Betty Rd
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3300
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3300
Grades: K-5
| 349 students
Rank: #1818.
Norwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 South Main St
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-4000
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-4000
Grades: K-5
| 343 students
Rank: #1919.
Stanly County Virtual Education
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1121 Austin St
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3081
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3081
Grades: 2-12
| 99 students
Rank: #2020.
South Stanly Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
12492 Cottonville Road
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-5700
Norwood, NC 28128
(704) 961-5700
Grades: 6-8
| 362 students
Rank: #2121.
North Stanly Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
36605 Old Salisbury Rd
New London, NC 28127
(704) 961-3700
New London, NC 28127
(704) 961-3700
Grades: 6-8
| 457 students
Rank: #2222.
East Albemarle Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1813 E Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3500
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3500
Grades: K-5
| 292 students
Rank: #2323.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
206 N 3rd Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3200
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3200
Grades: K-5
| 551 students
Rank: #2424.
Albemarle Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1811 Badin Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3400
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-3400
Grades: 6-8
| 380 students
Stanly County Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
36605 Old Salisbury Rd
New London, NC 28127
(704) 983-5200
New London, NC 28127
(704) 983-5200
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
1121 Austin St
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 982-2614
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 982-2614
Grades: PK-5
| 266 students
1244 N Main St
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-4700
Oakboro, NC 28129
(704) 961-4700
Grades: PK-5
| 350 students
24791 Millingport Rd
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 485-3825
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 485-3825
Grades: K-6
| 211 students
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?
95% of all K-12 students in Stanly County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Stanly County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Stanly County include: Albemarle Middle School vs. North Stanly Middle School, North Stanly Middle School vs. Albemarle Middle School, West Stanly High School vs. North Stanly High School
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