For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 6,369 students in Rowan County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Rowan County, NC are Cool Spring Elementary School, Rockwell Elementary School and West Rowan Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rowan County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Rowan County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Rowan County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cool Spring Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1969 Mocksville Hwy
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 873-4949
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 873-4949
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Rockwell Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
114 Link St
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-3145
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-3145
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
West Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
480 Mimosa St
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Cleveland, NC 27013
(704) 278-2131
Gr: PK-5 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Shive Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
655 Holshouser Rd
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-2899
Rockwell, NC 28138
(704) 279-2899
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #55.
Morgan Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3860 Liberty Rd
Gold Hill, NC 28071
(704) 636-0169
Gold Hill, NC 28071
(704) 636-0169
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #66.
Granite Quarry Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
118 South Walnut St
Granite Quarry, NC 28072
(704) 279-2154
Granite Quarry, NC 28072
(704) 279-2154
Gr: PK-5 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
China Grove Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
514 South Franklin St
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-7708
China Grove, NC 28023
(704) 857-7708
Gr: PK-5 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #88.
Isenberg Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2800 Jake Alexander Blvd N
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3009
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3009
Gr: PK-5 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #99.
Knollwood Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3075 Shue Rd
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 857-3400
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 857-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1010.
Hurley Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
625 Hurley School Rd
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3038
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 639-3038
Gr: PK-5 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1111.
North Rowan Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
600 Charles St
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 639-3042
Spencer, NC 28159
(704) 639-3042
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1212.
Koontz Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
685 East Ritchie Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 216-0273
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 216-0273
Gr: PK-5 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1313.
Dole Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
465 Choate Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 639-3046
Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 639-3046
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Rowan County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Rowan County, NC include Cool Spring Elementary School, Rockwell Elementary School and West Rowan Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Rowan County?
13 public preschools are located in Rowan County.
What is the racial composition of students in Rowan County?
Rowan County public preschools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Rowan County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Rowan County include: Rockwell Elementary School vs. Shive Elementary School, Shive Elementary School vs. Rockwell Elementary School, Knollwood Elementary School vs. Koontz Elementary School
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