Best Schools in Vale, North Carolina
3 schools · 3 Elementary
Choosing a school in Vale?
Use this page to compare every school in Vale by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Union Elementary
Elementary · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Brook Elementary
Elementary · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Banoak Elementary
Elementary · Catawba County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Vale for 2026 are Union Elementary (8.2/10), North Brook Elementary (7.1/10), and Banoak Elementary (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$176,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$176,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Vale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | North Brook Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Banoak Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $63,396
- Median home value
- $176,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Vale compares
North Carolina rank
#31 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$63k
94% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Vale, North Carolina
Vale, North Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Vale perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Vale is Union Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Vale is served by 2 school districts: Catawba County Schools, Lincoln County Schools. These districts collectively serve 27,522 students.
Vale's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $63,396. The poverty rate in the area is 13.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 323 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 351 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 271 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.5 |
Schools in Vale
Vale, North Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$63,396
Median Home Value
$176,100
Median Rent
$821/mo
Population
10,436
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Community Profile
Vale has a median household income of $63,396. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $821/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Vale, North Carolina
How many schools are in Vale, North Carolina?
Vale has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Vale, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Vale is 7.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Vale, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Vale on MySchoolScout is Union Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Vale, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Vale on MySchoolScout is Union Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Vale, North Carolina?
Vale is served by 2 school districts: Catawba County Schools, Lincoln County Schools.
What is the education level in Vale, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Vale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Vale, North Carolina?
The median household income in Vale is approximately $63,396 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Vale, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Vale is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Vale, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.