Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28088

Zip code 28088 in Landis, NC, has just two public schools: Landis Elementary (grades K–5, 613 students) and Corriher-Lipe Middle (grades 6–8, 457 students), both part of the Rowan-Salisbury Schools district. There is no high school in this zip code, so students must travel outside 28088 after 8th grade. Both schools serve almost entirely economically disadvantaged families, with over 99% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.

Landis Elementary is the clear standout. It ranks 683rd out of 1,492 elementary schools statewide — the 54th percentile with 3 stars — far above its district's 19th-percentile ranking. In 3rd- and 5th-grade math, Landis students score above the state average, and 5th-grade science and 4th-grade reading essentially match the state. Landis exceeds its district in every tested subject and grade, often by 15 to 20 points. Chronic absenteeism is just 18.8%, below the state average of 24.2% and far below the district average of 34.2% — remarkable for a school where 99.5% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Landis has also improved from 2 stars to 3 stars over the past two years, a sign of effective practices worth noting.

Corriher-Lipe Middle is the urgent concern. It ranks in the bottom fifth of North Carolina middle schools (19th percentile, 1 star) and has stayed there for three consecutive years. Proficiency falls below state averages in every grade and subject, with especially large gaps in 8th-grade reading (-24.7 points) and 8th-grade science (-24.8 points). Chronic absenteeism is a serious problem at 37.6% — nearly four in ten students are missing too much school. There are encouraging signs: 6th-grade math rose from 36.7% to 44.8% proficiency, and 8th-grade math from 36.4% to 45.7%. Corriher-Lipe actually beats its district average in several categories, but that reflects the district's overall struggles more than strong middle-school performance. For parents, these two schools offer very different experiences: Landis Elementary is a genuine bright spot, while Corriher-Lipe Middle needs significant support, especially around attendance, reading, and science.