For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 3,458 students in Stanly County, NC.
The top ranked public high 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 high schools have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Stanly County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public high schools.
Stanly County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is South Stanly High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High 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.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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
Stanly County Public 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 high schools in Stanly County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Stanly County, NC include Stanly Early College High School, Stanly Stem Early College and Gray Stone Day.
How many public high schools are located in Stanly County?
9 public high schools are located in Stanly County.
What is the racial composition of students in Stanly County?
Stanly County public high schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Stanly County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Stanly County include: West Stanly High School vs. North Stanly High School, Albemarle High School vs. North Stanly High School, South Stanly High School vs. North Stanly High School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.