2026 data 25 schools NC

Best Schools in Monroe, NC

25 public K-12 schools in Monroe from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

25 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in Monroe, NC using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

25
Schools
17,452
Students
Avg Quality
15.3:1
Avg Class Size

How the Monroe Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

Monroe, NC enrolls 17,452 students across 25 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, 3 are charter schools, giving families genuine alternatives to the traditional neighbourhood assignment model. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 15.3:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in Monroe is Union Academy, scoring 26/100 (F) with 2,186 enrolled students at the other level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

Monroe schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect Monroe housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

Monroe school enrollment varies 21× across entities

Monroe school enrollment ranges from 104 students (lowest) to 2,186 students (highest), a spread of 2,082 students. That spread reflects typical urban portfolio variation between specialty programs and large neighbourhood schools. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Monroe has higher-than-average Title I eligibility — 52.3% of the population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch

free or reduced-price lunch eligibility is the federal threshold for Title I funding allocations, established under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). Areas above 75% eligibility receive concentration grants on top of the basic Title I formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: ESSA Title I Part A; ED EDFacts file system ESSA Title I Part A; ED EDFacts file system

Monroe student-teacher ratio is 15.3:1 — near the typical range (US average ~16) — aligned with the U.S. average of approximately 16:1

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Variation between sub-units within Monroe is typically wider than the Monroe-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

Monroe has higher-than-average charter school authorisation eligibility — 12.0% of the population qualifies for charter-school enrollment options

charter-school enrollment options eligibility is the federal threshold for charter school authorisation funding allocations, established under the state-specific charter law. Areas above 30% eligibility receive concentration grants on top of the basic charter school authorisation formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

# School Score
1. Union Academy 26 F
2. Sun Valley High 41 D
3. Piedmont High 39 F
4. Monroe High 41 D
5. Parkwood High 40 D
6. Piedmont Middle 33 F
7. Parkwood Middle 32 F
8. Central Academy of Technology and Arts 55 C
9. Monroe Middle 36 F
10. Wesley Chapel Elementary 38 F
11. Unionville Elementary 36 F
12. Shiloh Valley Elementary 34 F
13. Shiloh Valley Primary School 24 F
14. Rocky River Elementary 35 F
15. Sardis Elementary 39 F
16. Benton Heights Elementary 51 C-
17. Walter Bickett Elementary 44 D
18. East Elementary 35 F
19. Fairview Elementary 35 F
20. Rock Rest Elementary 48 D
21. Prospect Elementary 41 D
22. Union County Early College 58 C
23. Apprentice Academy High School 32 F
24. Wolfe School 29 F
25. Monroe Charter Academy 21 F

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in Monroe, NC?

The top-rated school in Monroe is Union Academy with a quality score of 26/100. There are 25 public schools in Monroe with 17,452 total students.

How many schools are in Monroe, NC?

Monroe has 25 public schools with a total enrollment of 17,452 students. 3 are charter schools. Average student-teacher ratio: 15.3:1.

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Related Guides

Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.