Schools in Zip Code 28128

ZIP code 28128 is served by four public schools in Stanly County Schools—Aquadale Elementary (PK–5), Norwood Elementary (K–5), South Stanly Middle (6–8), and South Stanly High (9–12)—enrolling about 1,577 students in a community where every school has a free/reduced lunch rate above 99%. Overall, this is a high-poverty area with mixed academic results, but a few bright spots stand out despite the challenges.

Norwood Elementary is the strongest current performer among the four schools: it ranks at the 53rd percentile statewide with a 3-star rating and has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 14.1%. Its 4th grade math proficiency (75.9%) and reading proficiency (63.0%) both exceed district and state averages. Aquadale Elementary posts the best 5th grade science score in the ZIP code (71.9%) with a major year-over-year jump. South Stanly High deserves recognition for its 90.4% graduation rate and steady ranking improvement from the 22nd to the 36th percentile, plus strong gains in Biology. South Stanly Middle shows a notable 7th grade cohort, with math and reading proficiency above district and state levels, but its 8th grade math and reading scores lag behind the district.

The biggest concerns are at the secondary level. South Stanly High’s Math I proficiency is just 25.0%, roughly 17 to 22 points below district and state averages, while chronic absenteeism climbs sharply from elementary (14–17%) to middle (20%) to high school (26%). South Stanly Middle’s ranking has hovered near the 47th percentile for three years, and its 6th and 8th grade math scores fell below district levels. Aquadale Elementary slipped from a 4-star rating in 2023–24 to a 3-star rating today, underscoring how much year-to-year cohort swings can affect small schools. For parents, Norwood Elementary stands out for consistency, while South Stanly High is improving but needs urgent support in Math I.