Best High Schools in Zip Code 27030

Zip code 27030 is served by two public high schools — North Surry High and Mount Airy High — which together enroll about 1,412 students in grades 9 through 12. Both schools sit in the same geographic area but belong to different districts: North Surry is part of Surry County Schools, while Mount Airy is part of Mount Airy City Schools. Nearly every student at both schools qualifies for free or reduced lunch (99.6% at North Surry and 99.5% at Mount Airy), making them highly comparable on economic need while differing sharply in outcomes.

Mount Airy High is the clear academic standout in the area. It ranks in the 54th percentile statewide (305th of 662 schools) with a 3-star rating, and it has held a 3-star rating for three consecutive years. Mount Airy outperforms the state on Biology and Math III EOC tests, and its 92.2% graduation rate exceeds the state average of 88.8%. By contrast, North Surry High ranks in the 28th percentile (477th of 662 schools) with just 1 star, a notable decline from the 40th percentile three years earlier. North Surry trails the state in Biology, English II, and Math I proficiency, though it does post a 93.3% graduation rate and beats the state in Math III (76.3% vs. 68.9%).

The most dramatic difference between the two schools is attendance. North Surry's chronic absenteeism rate is 31.7% — roughly one in three students — compared to just 15.8% at Mount Airy and 24.2% statewide. Mount Airy also spends more per student ($10,888 vs. $9,405) and has a slightly lower student-teacher ratio. Both schools share some notable patterns: each beats the state in Math III but trails in English II, and both graduate students above state rates despite the test score gaps. Mount Airy also improved sharply in Math I over the past year (+15.2 points), while North Surry fell by 11.2 points. For parents, the bottom line is that Mount Airy High is the stronger-performing school, while North Surry High faces serious attendance challenges that likely deserve attention.