Surry County Schools

Public school district · Surry County · North Carolina · NCES district ID 3704410

Surry County Schools spent $12,301 per student on current operations in fiscal year 2022-23, below the middle: 52% of the other North Carolina districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022 spent more (median $12,366). Its 20 schools enrolled 7,318 students in 2024-25; 64.6% of its revenue came from the state. Census Bureau figures for 2023-24 put it at $12,463 per student, up 1.3% on the year before (U.S. $17,619 that year). Its four-year graduation rate for the class of 2023 was 90% (North Carolina: 86.5%).

Spending per student among North Carolina districts of similar size

Current spending per student excludes construction and debt. The 9 districts closest to Surry County Schools in enrollment (6,605 to 8,334 students) and Surry County Schools itself.

Current spending per student, North Carolina districts closest in size to Surry County Schools, FY23Rutherford County Schools $14,515; Orange County $14,399; Franklin County Schools $13,043; Granville County Public Schools $13,027; Lenoir County Public Schools $12,902; Carteret County Public Schools $12,846; Richmond County Schools $12,661; Haywood County Schools $12,458; Surry County Schools $12,301; Sampson County Schools $12,239; State median, 1,000+ students $12,366.11k12k13k14k15kRutherford County Schools$14,515Orange County$14,399Franklin County Schools$13,043Granville County Public Schools$13,027Lenoir County Public Schools$12,902Carteret County Public Schools$12,846Richmond County Schools$12,661Haywood County Schools$12,458Surry County Schools$12,301Sampson County Schools$12,239State median, 1,000+ students $12,366
Current spending per student, North Carolina districts closest in size to Surry County Schools, FY23Rutherford County Schools $14,515; Orange County $14,399; Franklin County Schools $13,043; Granville County Public Schools $13,027; Lenoir County Public Schools $12,902; Carteret County Public Schools $12,846; Richmond County Schools $12,661; Haywood County Schools $12,458; Surry County Schools $12,301; Sampson County Schools $12,239; State median, 1,000+ students $12,366.11k12k13k14k15kRutherford County Schools$14,515Orange County$14,399Franklin County Schools$13,043Granville County Public Schools$13,027Lenoir County Public Schools$12,902Carteret County Public Schools$12,846Richmond County Schools$12,661Haywood County Schools$12,458Surry County Schools$12,301Sampson County Schools$12,239State median, 1,000+ students $12,366
Current spending per student, North Carolina districts closest in size to Surry County Schools, FY23Rutherford County Schools $14,515; Orange County $14,399; Franklin County Schools $13,043; Granville County Public Schools $13,027; Lenoir County Public Schools $12,902; Carteret County Public Schools $12,846; Richmond County Schools $12,661; Haywood County Schools $12,458; Surry County Schools $12,301; Sampson County Schools $12,239; State median, 1,000+ students $12,366.11k13k15kRutherford County Schools$14,515Orange County$14,399Franklin County Schools$13,043Granville County Public Schools$13,027Lenoir County Public Schools$12,902Carteret County Public Schools$12,846Richmond County Schools$12,661Haywood County Schools$12,458Surry County Schools$12,301Sampson County Schools$12,239State median, 1,000+ students $12,366
Current spending per student, North Carolina districts closest in size to Surry County Schools, FY23Rutherford County Schools $14,515; Orange County $14,399; Franklin County Schools $13,043; Granville County Public Schools $13,027; Lenoir County Public Schools $12,902; Carteret County Public Schools $12,846; Richmond County Schools $12,661; Haywood County Schools $12,458; Surry County Schools $12,301; Sampson County Schools $12,239; State median, 1,000+ students $12,366.11k13k15kRutherford County Schools$14,515Orange County$14,399Franklin County Schools$13,043Granville County Public Schools$13,027Lenoir County Public Schools$12,902Carteret County Public Schools$12,846Richmond County Schools$12,661Haywood County Schools$12,458Surry County Schools$12,301Sampson County Schools$12,239State median, 1,000+ students $12,366

Where the money came from

$95,665,000 in revenue: 64.6% state, 16.7% local and 18.7% federal. Total spending including $4,025,000 of capital outlay was $96,299,000, or $13,120 per student; the figure above leaves capital out.

Surry County Schools revenue by source, fiscal year 2022-23State $61,784,000; Local $15,970,000; Federal $17,911,000; total $95,665,000.
  • State$61,784,000 65%
  • Local$15,970,000 17%
  • Federal$17,911,000 19%

Source: NCES F-33 school district finance survey, fiscal year 2022-23: current expenditures for elementary and secondary education divided by fall membership; the state median covers 150 districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022. Revenue by source (TOTALREV, TFEDREV, TSTREV, TLOCREV).

Enrollment held steady from 2022-23 to 2024-25

7,340 students in 2022-23, 7,352 students in 2023-24, 7,318 students in 2024-25, counted across the schools that reported each year.

Surry County Schools enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,340, 2023-24: 7,352, 2024-25: 7,31802k4k6k8k2022-237,3402023-247,3522024-257,318
Surry County Schools enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,340, 2023-24: 7,352, 2024-25: 7,31802k4k6k8k2022-237,3402023-247,3522024-257,318
Surry County Schools enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,340, 2023-24: 7,352, 2024-25: 7,31802k4k6k8k2022-237,3402023-247,3522024-257,318
Surry County Schools enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,340, 2023-24: 7,352, 2024-25: 7,31802k4k6k8k2022-237,3402023-247,3522024-257,318

Teachers and students per teacher

School yearStudentsTeachers (FTE)Per teacher
2022-237,340506.314.5
2023-247,352497.014.8
2024-257,318475.215.4

Source: NCES Common Core of Data membership and staff files, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25; sums over the schools reporting each year.

$25,881,000 in teacher salaries in fiscal year 2022-23, $3,526 per student

Surry County Schools booked $25,881,000 of teacher salaries in its 2022-23 finance report and counted 506 full-time teachers in its Common Core of Data district staff file for 2022-23 (the school files behind the staffing figures on this page count teachers separately, so the two can differ), or $51,122 of salary spending per teacher. That is more than 71 in 100 North Carolina districts with a figure (state median $49,503, 293 districts). It is spending, not what a teacher is paid: the salary lines and the teacher count come from different files, so the result can differ widely from the average salary the district publishes (its salary schedule gives pay); benefits are left out, and states book salaries differently, so compare districts within one state. For pay, the National Education Association put the average North Carolina teacher salary at $53,644 in 2021-22 (NCES Digest table 211.60).

ProgramTeacher salariesShare
Regular programs$16,239,00062.7%
Special education$2,808,00010.8%
Vocational$1,838,0007.1%
Other programs$4,996,00019.3%

Teacher salaries per student, fiscal years 2018-19 to 2022-23

The district's teacher salary bill divided by its fall enrollment each year: $3,243 in 2018-19, $3,284 in 2019-20, $3,469 in 2020-21, $3,580 in 2021-22, $3,526 in 2022-23.

Surry County Schools teacher salaries per student by fiscal year2018-19: $3,243, 2019-20: $3,284, 2020-21: $3,469, 2021-22: $3,580, 2022-23: $3,52601k2k3k4k2018-19$3,2432019-20$3,2842020-21$3,4692021-22$3,5802022-23$3,526
Surry County Schools teacher salaries per student by fiscal year2018-19: $3,243, 2019-20: $3,284, 2020-21: $3,469, 2021-22: $3,580, 2022-23: $3,52601k2k3k4k2018-19$3,2432019-20$3,2842020-21$3,4692021-22$3,5802022-23$3,526
Surry County Schools teacher salaries per student by fiscal year2018-19: $3,243, 2019-20: $3,284, 2020-21: $3,469, 2021-22: $3,580, 2022-23: $3,52601k2k3k4k2018-19$3,2432019-20$3,2842020-21$3,4692021-22$3,5802022-23$3,526
Surry County Schools teacher salaries per student by fiscal year2018-19: $3,243, 2019-20: $3,284, 2020-21: $3,469, 2021-22: $3,580, 2022-23: $3,52601k2k3k4k2018-19$3,2432019-20$3,2842020-21$3,4692021-22$3,5802022-23$3,526

Source: NCES F-33 school district finance survey, fiscal years 2019 to 2023: teacher salaries in regular, special, vocational and other programs (Z35 to Z38) and fall membership (V33); NCES Common Core of Data LEA staff file 2022-23, teachers (full-time equivalent).

State test results, 2021-22

In 2021-22, the students tested in Surry County Schools scored proficient or above: 53% in reading and 59% in math, against 48% in reading and 50% in math across North Carolina. Each state writes its own test and sets its own proficiency bar, so compare these within North Carolina, not across states. Where a state published results by grade only, the grades tested are combined, weighted by the students tested in each.

Students proficient or above, 2021-22
SubjectThis districtNorth CarolinaStudents tested
Reading and language arts53%48%3,216
Math59%50%3,214

Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts state assessment results 2021-22, all students, from ED Data Express (the Data Rescue Project archive; ED has no 2022-23 result for this district): ED shows district results as ranges (for example 20-24%) to protect small groups.

Graduation rate, class of 2023

90% of the 630 students in Surry County Schools' class of 2023 graduated within four years, against 86.5% across North Carolina. The four-year rate follows the students who started ninth grade in fall 2019, adjusted for those who moved in or out, and counts those who earned a regular diploma by 2023. Every state computes it the same way under federal law, though each sets its own diploma requirements.

Four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rate, class of 2023
This districtNorth Carolina
Four-year graduation rate90%86.5%
Students in the class630120,822

Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rates 2022-23, all students, from ED Data Express: ED shows district rates as ranges (for example 90-94%) and leaves out small classes.

11 elementary schools, 3,313 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
Franklin Elementary47313.598.9%Schoolwide program
Pilot Mountain Elementary35315.299.2%Schoolwide program
Dobson Elementary35014.999.1%Schoolwide program
Cedar Ridge Elementary34814.199.1%Schoolwide program
Rockford Elementary33513.499.1%Schoolwide program
White Plains Elementary32814.899.1%Schoolwide program
Copeland Elementary27413.098.9%Schoolwide program
Shoals Elementary23513.498.7%Schoolwide program
Flat Rock Elementary21713.298.6%Schoolwide program
Westfield Elementary21211.798.6%Schoolwide program
Mountain Park Elementary18812.098.4%Schoolwide program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

4 middle schools, 1,541 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
Central Middle50216.299.4%Eligible, no program
Pilot Mountain Middle40115.599.3%Eligible, no program
J Sam Gentry Middle32014.499.1%Eligible, no program
Meadowview Magnet Middle31813.199.1%Eligible, no program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

4 high schools, 2,343 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
North Surry High79217.299.6%Eligible, no program
Surry Central High67916.799.6%Eligible, no program
East Surry High57617.699.5%Eligible, no program
Surry Early College29635.999.0%Eligible, no program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

1 other school, 121 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
Surry Online Magnet School12160.553.7%Eligible, no program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

Contact Surry County Schools

Source: NCES Common Core of Data, local education agency directory 2024-25. Enrollment, boundaries and school assignment are the district's to confirm.

What to look at next about Surry County Schools

  1. North Carolina districts by spending per studentSurry County Schools ranks 78 of 150 North Carolina districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022 on current spending per student in fiscal year 2022-23 ($12,301).#78 of 150
  2. Every school district in North CarolinaSurry County Schools is the number 48 by size of 332 North Carolina districts, with 7,340 students in fall 2022 (F-33).#48 of 332
  3. Rutherford County SchoolsThe next larger North Carolina district: 7,527 students in fall 2022, $14,515 per student in fiscal year 2022-23.$14,515
  4. Orange County School DistrictThe next smaller North Carolina district: 7,208 students in fall 2022, $14,399 per student in fiscal year 2022-23.$14,399
  5. Compare Surry County Schools with Rutherford County SchoolsEnrollment, spending, revenue sources and schools, side by side.
  6. North Surry High, its largest high school792 students in 2024-25, 17.2 per teacher.792
  7. Teacher salary spending across North CarolinaSurry County Schools spent $51,122 in salaries per full-time teacher in fiscal year 2022-23 (state median $49,503); spending, not a salary.$51,122
  8. Find the school district for an addressA home's district decides which public schools it can enroll in.

Source: NCES F-33 finance survey, fiscal year 2022-23 (spending per student and fall 2022 membership; ranks among the state's districts that reported them); NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25 (schools).

Questions about Surry County Schools

  1. How many schools and students are in Surry County Schools?
    20 schools were open in 2024-25 (11 elementary, 4 middle, 4 high, 1 other), enrolling 7,318 students, according to the NCES Common Core of Data.
  2. How much does Surry County Schools spend per student?
    $12,301 per student on current operations in fiscal year 2022-23 (NCES F-33), which leaves out construction and debt; the North Carolina median for districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022 is $12,366 and the U.S. figure is $16,260. Census Bureau figures for 2023-24 put it at $12,463 per student, up 1.3% on the year before (U.S. $17,619 that year).
  3. Where does Surry County Schools' money come from?
    $95,665,000 in revenue in fiscal year 2022-23: 64.6% state, 16.7% local and 18.7% federal (NCES F-33).
  4. How many children in Surry County Schools live in poverty?
    The Census Bureau estimates that 2,069 of the 8,551 children aged 5 to 17 living within the district's boundaries in 2024, 24.2%, were in families in poverty (Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). It is a model-based estimate for everyone living in the district, not a count of its students; the free-meal shares in the school tables are counts of enrolled students.
  5. How much does Surry County Schools spend on teacher salaries?
    $25,881,000 in fiscal year 2022-23 (NCES F-33), or $3,526 per student. Divided by the 506 full-time teachers in the NCES Common Core of Data for 2022-23 that is $51,122 per teacher, more than 71 in 100 North Carolina districts (state median $49,503). That is spending, not what a teacher is paid: the salary lines and the teacher count come from different files, and the result can differ widely from the average salary a district publishes. The district's salary schedule gives pay. For pay, the National Education Association put the average North Carolina teacher salary at $53,644 in 2021-22 (NCES Digest table 211.60).
  6. How do students in Surry County Schools do on state tests?
    In 2021-22, the students tested in Surry County Schools scored proficient or above: 53% in reading and 59% in math, against 48% in reading and 50% in math across North Carolina. North Carolina's own test sets what proficient means, so results compare within the state, not across states. Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts state assessment results, 2021-22.
  7. What is the graduation rate in Surry County Schools?
    90% of the 630 students in Surry County Schools' class of 2023 graduated within four years, against 86.5% across North Carolina. The four-year rate follows the students who started ninth grade in fall 2019, adjusted for those who moved in or out. Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rates, 2022-23.
  8. What is Surry County Schools' NCES district ID?
    3704410. Each of its schools' 12-digit NCES IDs begins with these seven digits.

Reading these figures: how to choose a school district, what Title I means and what an absenteeism rate means. They are for information and are not a substitute for the school's or district's own records.

Sources

Every federal file behind this record
  • NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25: directory, membership, staff and lunch files. nces.ed.gov
  • NCES Common Core of Data, 2021-22 school characteristics: Title I status. nces.ed.gov
  • Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021-22: AP courses, gifted programs, counselors, discipline. civilrightsdata.ed.gov
  • EDFacts, 2022-23: chronic absenteeism. ed.gov
  • EDFacts four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rates, 2022-23: the class of 2023 for the district and its state (ED Data Express). eddataexpress.ed.gov
  • EDFacts state assessment results, 2021-22: reading and math proficiency for the district and its state (ED Data Express). eddataexpress.ed.gov
  • NCES Digest of Education Statistics, table 211.60 (2021-22): the state's average teacher salary, from the National Education Association. nces.ed.gov
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024: children aged 5 to 17 and those in families in poverty, by school district. census.gov
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances, fiscal year 2023-24: per pupil current spending for 2023-24 and 2022-23. census.gov
  • NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, fiscal year 2022-23: district spending and revenue. nces.ed.gov
  • U.S. Census Bureau geocoder and TIGER school districts: the district boundary used by the district finder. census.gov

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances Per pupil current spending by school system · FY 2023-24

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey Revenue and expenditures by district · FY 2022-23

Source: NCES Common Core of Data School directory, membership, staff and lunch files · 2024-25