Randolph Early College High School

Randolph Early College High School is a small public school in Asheboro, North Carolina, serving 358 students in grades 9–12 as part of the Randolph County School System. Although the district itself ranks only in the 35th percentile statewide, this school is an academic standout: it ranks 45th out of 662 North Carolina high schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile with a 5-star rating. No nearby school comes close—the next best traditional option, Wheatmore High School, ranks 246th statewide.

The school's test scores are remarkable. In 2025–2026, 100% of students scored proficient on the Biology end-of-course exam, 94.4% on English II, and 96.7% on Math III—all far exceeding district and state averages. By comparison, Asheboro High, located just 1.27 miles away, posted proficiency rates roughly 30 to 50 percentage points lower. What is especially impressive is that these results hold across every student group: male, female, Hispanic, White, low-income, and gifted students all earn 5-star subgroup ratings. With 44.4% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, the strong performance of economically disadvantaged students—ranked 40th of 620 statewide—points to genuine schoolwide effectiveness rather than an isolated advantage.

Attendance data reinforces the picture of an engaged student body. Chronic absenteeism sits at just 14.2%, compared to 24.2% statewide, and is the lowest among nearby traditional high schools. The school also operates with unusual efficiency: its per-student spending of $5,706 is the leanest in the area, reflecting the early college model in which students take college coursework and share resources with a college partner. For parents, the takeaway is clear: Randolph Early College High School delivers top-tier academics with consistent results across all student groups—a rare combination anywhere in North Carolina.