Western Alamance High

Summary:

Western Alamance High is a public high school located in Elon, North Carolina, serving 1,036 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Alamance-Burlington Schools district, which is ranked 174 out of 242 districts in the state.

Western Alamance High has consistently outperformed the district and state averages in end-of-course (EOC) test scores, particularly in subjects like Biology, Math I, and Math III. The school's performance is especially noteworthy in Math III, where it had a 71% proficiency rate in 2023-2024, significantly higher than the district's 54% and the state's 57.6%. Additionally, the school has shown strong performance across different student subgroups, with African American, English Language Learner, and Gifted and Talented students all ranking in the top half or top third of North Carolina high schools.

While Western Alamance High is a solid-performing school, it faces some challenges. The school has seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 17.78% in 2020-2021 to 39.38% in 2022-2023. Additionally, the school has struggled with its lowest-performing student subgroups, such as Disabled and Low Socioeconomic Status students. In comparison to nearby schools, Southern Alamance High and Eastern Alamance High generally perform worse than Western Alamance High, while the ABSS Early College at ACC consistently ranks among the top 3-5% of high schools in North Carolina.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1731 N Nc 87
       Elon, NC  27244


(336) 538-6020

District: Alamance-Burlington Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
266th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,437 Help


Feeder schools for Western Alamance High:

Elementary:    Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary
    Elon Elementary
Middle:    Western Alamance Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  18.5 Help
Number of students:  1,135

Racial breakdown:

White:
52.1%
Hispanic:
21.5%
African American:
19.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  45.8% Help


 See top rated North Carolina high schools

 Compare Western Alamance High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Western Alamance High ranks better than 58.4% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 2nd among 7 ranked high schools in the Alamance-Burlington Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.3. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Western Alamance High is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (52.1%), Hispanic (21.5%), African American (19.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 45.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Western Alamance High is 18.5. 7 high schools in the Alamance-Burlington Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Western Alamance High employs 61.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Western Alamance High is $8,437. 4 high schools in the Alamance-Burlington Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Western Alamance High:

SchoolDigger ranks Western Alamance High 266th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See Western Alamance High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Alamance-Burlington Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Alamance-Burlington Schools 174th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Western Alamance High?

Rank History for Western Alamance High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 66.37 102nd 431 76.3%
2007 70.90 72nd 453 84.1%
2008 67.35 89th 477 81.3%
2009 66.31 108th 490 78.0%
2010 68.85 89th 499 82.2%
2011 66.77 115th 506 77.3%
2012 64.04 108th 502 78.5%
2013 54.17 122nd 505 75.8%
2014 43.77 198th 451 56.1%
2015 39.58 268th 531 49.5%
2016 33.64 289th 507 43.0%
2017 46.74 209th 476 56.1%
2018 61.69 138th 469 70.6%
2019 48.24 222nd 514 56.8%
2021 30.24 400th 594 32.7%
2022 54.96 258th 621 58.5%
2023 50.65 283rd 626 54.8%
2024 54.30 266th 640 58.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.74 144th 185 22.2%
2022 55.95 80th 226 64.6%
2023 14.31 226th 249 9.2%
2024 51.60 119th 261 54.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 15.64 169th 173 2.3%
2022 63.53 26th 156 83.3%
2023 35.45 131st 226 42.0%
2024 50.50 92nd 262 64.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 33.60 227th 349 35.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.66 247th 424 41.7%
2019 25.65 327th 446 26.7%
2021 23.85 330th 432 23.6%
2022 49.95 227th 544 58.3%
2023 34.94 367th 597 38.5%
2024 46.25 273rd 613 55.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.60 151st 449 66.4%
2019 52.00 190th 475 60.0%
2021 24.50 339th 475 28.6%
2022 57.62 243rd 594 59.1%
2023 55.16 255th 588 56.6%
2024 56.42 248th 602 58.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.37 347th 349 0.6%
2019 15.72 346th 364 4.9%
2021 25.47 275th 334 17.7%
2022 50.91 115th 330 65.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.96 10th 100 90.0%
2021 38.80 244th 337 27.6%
2022 47.94 266th 398 33.2%
2023 65.54 154th 403 61.8%
2024 61.82 180th 403 55.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.06 146th 463 68.5%
2019 43.38 240th 488 50.8%
2021 33.47 281st 481 41.6%
2022 51.46 257th 585 56.1%
2023 44.19 306th 602 49.2%
2024 50.20 288th 607 52.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.12 126th 359 64.9%
2019 33.57 227th 369 38.5%
2021 30.97 224th 364 38.5%
2022 47.93 176th 430 59.1%
2023 59.96 120th 434 72.4%
2024 49.99 162nd 437 62.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.20 204th 340 40.0%
2019 26.54 279th 354 21.2%
2021 18.75 323rd 370 12.7%
2022 46.41 205th 436 53.0%
2023 41.39 240th 449 46.5%
2024 41.50 239th 454 47.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Western Alamance High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.68 151st 427 64.6%
2019 47.53 204th 444 54.1%
2021 24.82 321st 439 26.9%
2022 53.01 252nd 534 52.8%
2023 47.08 280th 537 47.9%
2024 63.55 208th 553 62.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Western Alamance High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

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100%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Thursday, September 22, 2016

Open Quote I graduated in 2016 and the staff didnt show any care to anyone who didnt donate money or wasnt on a sports team. If you were one of those two you almost didnt have to do anything to pass, but if you didnt do either of those you could educate yourself better than most teachers would. I tried to visit some of my teachers that I did like though on my only day off and one of the principles told me "you cant visit unless the teachers are expecting you and you have been put into the schedule." I find this ammusing simply because I have seen multiple preps and football players that had already graduated roaming freely around the campus without even so much having a visiters sticker on. This school teaches on the basis "its not what you know,its who you know." Do not send your children here!!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Western Alamance High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 773 142 2 1 2 n/a n/a 0 920
1989 760 126 2 1 2 n/a n/a 0 891
1990 713 110 4 2 1 n/a n/a 10 840
1991 694 110 4 1 2 n/a n/a 0 811
1992 671 101 6 1 1 n/a n/a 0 780
1993 649 83 6 2 2 n/a n/a 0 742
1994 709 98 7 0 2 n/a n/a 0 816
1995 712 105 2 6 5 n/a n/a 0 830
1996 712 105 2 6 5 n/a n/a 0 830
1997 705 116 2 5 3 n/a n/a 0 831
1998 706 105 0 4 6 n/a n/a 0 821
1999 737 115 1 4 1 n/a n/a 0 858
2000 763 121 7 5 4 n/a n/a 0 900
2001 802 120 7 13 3 n/a n/a 0 945
2002 841 134 13 12 3 n/a n/a 0 1003
2003 841 134 13 12 3 n/a n/a 0 1003
2004 926 139 13 19 2 n/a n/a 0 1099
2005 977 138 13 18 3 n/a n/a 0 1149
2006 965 151 12 20 1 n/a n/a 0 1149
2007 1014 119 14 29 3 n/a n/a 18 1197
2008 959 117 14 34 2 n/a n/a 18 1144
2009 946 161 9 49 0 n/a n/a 0 1165
2010 961 157 16 55 2 n/a n/a 0 1191
2011 942 142 14 74 4 0 21 0 1197
2012 947 135 18 79 3 0 19 0 1201
2013 977 118 22 86 3 0 26 0 1232
2014 912 127 20 95 2 0 31 0 1187
2015 945 132 18 99 2 0 37 0 1233
2016 907 145 20 120 4 1 41 0 1238
2017 889 165 21 161 2 4 42 0 1284
2018 843 152 14 154 3 6 40 0 1212
2019 801 128 14 161 6 5 38 0 1153
2020 776 132 14 163 5 5 33 0 1128
2021 726 123 6 167 6 5 30 0 1063
2022 688 118 9 188 6 2 41 0 1052
2023 632 145 9 194 2 4 50 0 1036
2024 591 218 16 244 6 3 57 0 1135

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Western Alamance High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 920 57.0 16.1 7.5
1989 891 57.0 15.6 10.5
1990 840 55.0 15.2 9.5
1991 811 53.0 15.3 9.9
1992 780 54.0 14.4 4.5
1993 742 50.0 14.8 5
1994 816 51.0 16.0 7.2
1995 830 54.0 15.4 8.6
1996 830 54.0 15.4 8.6
1997 831 54.0 15.4 8.8
1998 821 58.0 14.2 7.2
1999 858 58.0 14.8 12
2000 900 61.0 14.8 13.3
2001 945 59.0 16.0 n/a
2002 1003 59.0 17.0 12.5
2003 1003 59.0 17.0 12.5
2004 1099 59.0 18.6 15.1
2005 1149 59.0 19.5 11.8
2006 1149 59.0 19.5 15.2
2007 1197 69.3 17.3 9.4
2008 1144 68.5 16.7 18.8
2009 1165 69.0 16.9 19.5
2010 1191 64.8 18.3 22.2
2011 1197 67.4 17.7 22.1
2012 1201 66.9 17.9 20.9
2013 1232 65.0 18.9 23
2014 1187 65.7 18.0 25.7
2015 1233 66.0 18.6 27.3
2016 1238 69.0 17.9 29.3
2017 1284 68.1 18.8 30.4
2018 1212 66.1 18.3 27.8
2019 1153 62.1 18.5 27.1
2020 1128 60.6 18.5 27.4
2021 1063 61.2 17.3 17.8
2022 1052 60.1 17.4 20.1
2023 1036 63.3 16.3 39.4
2024 1135 61.3 18.5 45.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Western Alamance High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 920 57.0 16.1 7.5
1989 891 57.0 15.6 10.5
1990 840 55.0 15.2 9.5
1991 811 53.0 15.3 9.9
1992 780 54.0 14.4 4.5
1993 742 50.0 14.8 5
1994 816 51.0 16.0 7.2
1995 830 54.0 15.4 8.6
1996 830 54.0 15.4 8.6
1997 831 54.0 15.4 8.8
1998 821 58.0 14.2 7.2
1999 858 58.0 14.8 12
2000 900 61.0 14.8 13.3
2001 945 59.0 16.0 n/a
2002 1003 59.0 17.0 12.5
2003 1003 59.0 17.0 12.5
2004 1099 59.0 18.6 15.1
2005 1149 59.0 19.5 11.8
2006 1149 59.0 19.5 15.2
2007 1197 69.3 17.3 9.4
2008 1144 68.5 16.7 18.8
2009 1165 69.0 16.9 19.5
2010 1191 64.8 18.3 22.2
2011 1197 67.4 17.7 22.1
2012 1201 66.9 17.9 20.9
2013 1232 65.0 18.9 23
2014 1187 65.7 18.0 25.7
2015 1233 66.0 18.6 27.3
2016 1238 69.0 17.9 29.3
2017 1284 68.1 18.8 30.4
2018 1212 66.1 18.3 27.8
2019 1153 62.1 18.5 27.1
2020 1128 60.6 18.5 27.4
2021 1063 61.2 17.3 17.8
2022 1052 60.1 17.4 20.1
2023 1036 63.3 16.3 39.4
2024 1135 61.3 18.5 45.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Western Alamance High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $759 (9.0%) $7,678 (91.0%) $8,437

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Western Alamance High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 222nd of 514 High schoolsRanks 283rd of 626 High schools
 2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (Western Alamance High)61.851.7
 10.1%
   End of Course Biology (Alamance-Burlington Schools)61.249.8
 11.4%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Western Alamance High)60.156.3
 3.8%
   End of Course English II (Alamance-Burlington Schools)50.349.7
 0.6%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (Western Alamance High)29.836.1
 6.3%
   End of Course Math I (Alamance-Burlington Schools)36.329.1
 7.2%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (Western Alamance High)53.277.6
 24.4%
   End of Course Math III (Alamance-Burlington Schools)49.851.7
 1.9%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students11531036
 10.1%
African American128145
 13.3%
American Indian62
 66.7%
Asian149
 35.7%
Hispanic161194
 20.5%
Pacific Islander54
 20%
White801632
 21.1%
Two or More Races3850
 31.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients27.1%39.4%
 12.3%


Schools Near Western Alamance High









Frequently Asked Questions about Western Alamance High

Western Alamance High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary
Elementary : Elon Elementary
Middle : Western Alamance Middle

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,135 students attended Western Alamance High.

Western Alamance High ranks 266th of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Western Alamance High are 52% White, 21% Hispanic, 19% African American, 5% Two or more races, 1% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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