Surry County Schools & Education
Surry County, North Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
55/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
93.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,637
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
55/100
Higher = better
State avg 40/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#18
of 100 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Surry County
School Verdict
Surry County performs at an average level with a school score of 55/100 and a solid graduation rate of 93.9%.
Funding Context
At $6,637 per pupil, Surry County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Surry County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 37% above the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Surry County, North Carolina
A Broad Choice of School Districts
Surry County offers a diverse educational landscape with 30 public schools serving 11,082 students. The infrastructure is unique for its size, featuring five different school districts to provide local control. This includes 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, and six high schools, plus three specialized campuses.
Elite Graduation Rates and High Scores
Surry County is a regional leader with a stellar 93.9% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average of 87.0%. The county's composite school score of 54.8 is well above the North Carolina state average of 52.4. These results are achieved with an efficient per-pupil expenditure of $6,637.
Multiple Districts and Specialized Charters
Surry County Schools is the largest district with 7,340 students, but residents also benefit from Mount Airy City and Elkin City schools. Millennium Charter Academy provides an alternative for 687 students, representing about 3% of the total school count. North Surry High is the largest individual school, enrolling 843 students.
Balance of Rural and Town Locales
The county's schools are split between 18 rural settings and 12 town locations, offering a variety of environmental choices. With an average school size of 369 students, the county avoids the overcrowding seen in more urban areas. Families can choose between larger town high schools or smaller rural elementary campuses.
Invest in a County with Top-Tier Schools
Surry County's exceptional graduation rates make it a premier destination for families relocating to North Carolina. The presence of five different districts allows for significant variety in home location and school preference. Search for homes in the Mount Airy, Elkin, or broader Surry County areas to secure a high-quality education for your family.
School Overview
Total Schools
30
in Surry County
Total Enrollment
11,082
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
1
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Surry County
Surry County Schools
Mount Airy City Schools
Elkin City Schools
Millennium Charter Academy
Appalachian State Univ Academy at Elkin
30 Public Schools in Surry County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Surry High | Surry County Schools | 9–12 | High | 843 |
| Millennium Charter Academy | Millennium Charter Academy | KG–12 | Charter | 687 |
| Surry Central High | Surry County Schools | 9–12 | High | 669 |
| East Surry High | Surry County Schools | 9–12 | High | 594 |
| Mount Airy High | Mount Airy City Schools | 9–12 | High | 582 |
| Elkin Elementary | Elkin City Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 578 |
| Central Middle | Surry County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 490 |
| Franklin Elementary | Surry County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 456 |
| Pilot Mountain Middle | Surry County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 454 |
| Mount Airy Middle | Mount Airy City Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 409 |
| Elkin High | Elkin City Schools | 9–12 | High | 399 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary | Mount Airy City Schools | PK–2 | Primary | 392 |
| Cedar Ridge Elementary | Surry County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 364 |
| J Sam Gentry Middle | Surry County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 363 |
| Meadowview Magnet Middle | Surry County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 349 |
| Pilot Mountain Elementary | Surry County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 344 |
| Rockford Elementary | Surry County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 344 |
| Jones Intermediate | Mount Airy City Schools | 3–5 | Primary | 343 |
| Dobson Elementary | Surry County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 340 |
| White Plains Elementary | Surry County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 323 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,637
State avg $6,969
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Surry County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Surry County?
How much does Surry County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Surry County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Surry County, North Carolina?
Surry County offers a diverse educational landscape with 30 public schools serving 11,082 students. The infrastructure is unique for its size, featuring five different school districts to provide local control. This includes 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, and six high schools, plus three specialized campuses.
How do schools in Surry County perform academically?
Surry County is a regional leader with a stellar 93.9% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average of 87.0%. The county's composite school score of 54.8 is well above the North Carolina state average of 52.4. These results are achieved with an efficient per-pupil expenditure of $6,637.
What are the major school districts in Surry County, North Carolina?
Surry County Schools is the largest district with 7,340 students, but residents also benefit from Mount Airy City and Elkin City schools. Millennium Charter Academy provides an alternative for 687 students, representing about 3% of the total school count. North Surry High is the largest individual school, enrolling 843 students.
What is the school experience like in Surry County?
The county's schools are split between 18 rural settings and 12 town locations, offering a variety of environmental choices. With an average school size of 369 students, the county avoids the overcrowding seen in more urban areas. Families can choose between larger town high schools or smaller rural elementary campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in Surry County, North Carolina?
Surry County's exceptional graduation rates make it a premier destination for families relocating to North Carolina. The presence of five different districts allows for significant variety in home location and school preference. Search for homes in the Mount Airy, Elkin, or broader Surry County areas to secure a high-quality education for your family.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.