Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28127

Zip code 28127 contains two public schools in New London, NC, both part of Stanly County Schools, serving middle and high school grades (6–12) with a combined enrollment of 1,039 students and no elementary schools in the immediate area. North Stanly Middle is the stronger-ranked school, sitting at 316th out of 778 North Carolina middle schools (59th percentile, 3 stars) after improving from the 33rd percentile three years ago to the 59th percentile today. The middle school exceeds state averages in several areas, including 6th grade math (69.5% proficient vs. 59.2% statewide), 8th grade science (76.1% vs. 68.6%), and 8th grade reading (62.0% vs. 56.1%). North Stanly High has also made significant progress, rising from the 19th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 42nd percentile this year, and its graduation rate of 90.2% exceeds both district (88.4%) and state (88.8%) averages.

Despite serving a remarkably high-need population—with over 98% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch at both schools—academic results are mixed but promising. North Stanly High has seen extraordinary one-year gains, particularly in Math I, where proficiency jumped from 9.1% to 50.0%, and English II, which rose from 46.1% to 61.4%. The school now slightly exceeds the state average in Math I and nearly matches district and state averages in English II and Math III. However, Biology proficiency fell to 47.5%, now well below the district’s 57.5% and the state’s 58.5%, making it the school’s clearest weakness. The middle school, meanwhile, matches or exceeds state averages across most tested subjects, with particularly strong 8th grade science and reading scores, and its state percentile has improved for three consecutive years.

The most notable concern is chronic absenteeism at North Stanly High, which stands at 34.9%—almost 11 points above the state average and 15 points higher than the district’s 19.7%. This is especially striking given that the high school still maintains a graduation rate above 90%, suggesting some students are completing school despite significant missed instruction. North Stanly Middle, by contrast, matches the district absenteeism rate exactly at 19.7%. Overall, these two schools are not equally strong: North Stanly Middle is the standout by ranking and test performance, while North Stanly High is an improving school with a solid graduation rate but clear attendance and Biology challenges. Parents considering this area should note that the lack of elementary schools in the zip code means the K-5 experience happens outside this immediate data set.