Jesse C. Carson High School


Jesse C. Carson High School is a public, co-educational secondary school located in China Grove, NC. It is one of seven high schools in the Rowan-Salisbury School System.

History

Jesse C. Carson High School opened in 2006, drawing students from four other high schools in Rowan County. It is named for Jesse C. Carson Jr., a lifelong educator, World War II veteran, and former Rowan County School System Superintendent.

Academics

Jesse C. Carson High School is consistently rated a "B" school by the NC Department of Public Instruction. Carson features an Academy of the Arts with concentrations in dance, choral and instrumental music, theater and visual arts. Carson also offers unique Project Lead the Way coursework in Biomedical Science and Engineering. In 2025, Carson launched a Global Logistics pathway, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and optimize global supply chains, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products.

Athletics

Jesse C. Carson High School is a 5A school in the South Piedmont Conference. Carson Women's Basketball won the school's first state championship in 2021.

Notable alumni