Montgomery Central High School had the highest enrollment among Montgomery County schools, welcoming 862 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Among the 11 schools in Montgomery County, East Middle School ranked second in enrollment numbers with 414 students, while Candor Elementary School welcomed 322 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.
Montgomery Central High School is part of Montgomery County Schools district, which roughly covers institutions within Montgomery County and has a main office in Troy.
In the previous school year, Montgomery Central High School also had the highest number of students among Montgomery County schools.
Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).
Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.
| School name | City | Total School Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Central High School | Troy | 862 |
| East Middle School | Biscoe | 414 |
| Candor Elementary School | Candor | 322 |
| Montgomery County Early College | Troy | 284 |
| Troy Elementary School | Troy | 253 |
| Green Ridge Elementary School | Biscoe | 252 |
| Star Elementary School | Star | 252 |
| Page Street Elementary School | Troy | 235 |
| Tillery Charter Academy | Biscoe | 211 |
| Mount Gilead Elementary School | Mount Gilead | 191 |
| Montgomery Learning Academy | Troy | 70 |



