Best Public Schools in Zip Code 27253

Zip code 27253 (Graham, NC) is served by 12 schools—4 elementary, 2 middle, 5 high, and 1 K-12 alternative—enrolling about 6,444 students. Most belong to Alamance-Burlington Schools, a district ranked in the 27th percentile statewide, but two schools stand far above the rest: ABSS Early College at ACC, ranked #6 among North Carolina high schools with near-100% proficiency in English II and Math I, and River Mill Academy, a K-12 charter-type school with the lowest chronic absenteeism in the area and strong proficiency across reading, science, and middle school math. River Mill’s one weak spot is Math I, where only 34.5% of students test proficient, below the state average of 42.1%.

Among the traditional public elementary schools, Alexander Wilson Elementary is the strongest, ranking near the state median at the 48th percentile with a 55.7% free/reduced lunch rate. The other three elementary schools—South Graham Elementary, North Graham Elementary, and B. Everett Jordan Elementary—all have poverty rates above 98%, and North Graham ranks #1,486 out of 1,492 elementary schools. At the secondary level, the “Southern” campuses consistently outperform the “Graham” campuses. Southern Alamance High graduates 90.5% of students and ranks in the 30th percentile; Graham High graduates 80.7% and sits in the 11th percentile. Similarly, Southern Alamance Middle ranks in the 32nd percentile, while Graham Middle falls to the 5th percentile. Attendance follows the same pattern: Graham Middle and Southern Alamance High both report 43.6% chronic absenteeism, while the stronger schools stay well below the state average of 24.2%.

The biggest academic hurdle across the zip is Algebra I (Math I). Except for ABSS Early College, no school reaches the state average. Poverty and chronic absenteeism line up closely with these results, but spending alone does not explain them. Ray Street Academy spends $33,251 per student, the most in the area, yet has 74.7% chronic absenteeism and very low test scores; ABSS Early College at ACC spends just $6,280 and achieves the best outcomes. In short, 27253 is a tale of two very different education experiences: families with access to the early college, River Mill, or the Southern Alamance campuses may find strong options, while the Graham-area traditional public schools face serious challenges that matter for parents researching the area.