Excellent
#82 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Ballentine Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
1651 North McLaurin Lane, Fuquay-varina, NC 27526
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fuquay-varina
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#74 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Ballentine Elementary
Ballentine Elementary serves 711 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. It earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on an academic score of 8.8 and a growth score of 9.5. That growth number carries real weight: it measures how much students advance year over year, not just where they land on a single test.
The school ranks #82 out of 2,648 public schools in North Carolina, outperforming 97% of schools statewide. Among the state's 1,474 elementary schools specifically, Ballentine places #74. At the local level, it holds the top spot of the two public schools in Fuquay Varina.
Across every comparison frame — statewide, by grade level, by city — this school lands at the top. Ballentine operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4 to 1, which keeps class sizes contained and gives teachers more direct time with each student. For families comparing elementary options in the area, the combination of top-tier academic performance and a growth score that ranks among the state's best makes Ballentine one of the clearest choices in North Carolina.
Score Breakdown
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Ballentine Elementary — Students at Ballentine Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Ballentine Elementary Compares
See how Ballentine Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 76.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 71.5% (2025).
Location
1651 North McLaurin Lane, Fuquay-varina, NC 27526
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ballentine Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Heights Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Fuquay-Varina Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, South Lakes Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fuquay-varina, see our Fuquay-varina schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| South Lakes Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 2.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| West Lake Middle Apex | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| West Lake Elementary Apex | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Willow Spring High Fuquay-Varina | 3.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Middle Creek High Apex | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Middle Creek Elementary Apex | 4.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs | 3.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Banks Road Elementary Raleigh | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs | 4.4 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,055
Median Home Value
$372,300
Median Rent
$1,591/mo
Population
59,306
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
80.7%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballentine Elementary has a median household income of $105,055. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $372,300, with a median rent of $1,591/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Armstrong Elementary Eastover, NC | 9.0 |
| Ayden Elementary Ayden, NC | 9.0 |
| Bogue Sound Elementary Newport, NC | 9.0 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne, NC | 9.0 |
| Edward Best Elementary Louisburg, NC | 9.0 |
| Gray's Creek Elementary Hope Mills, NC | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ballentine Elementary
What grades does Ballentine Elementary serve?
Ballentine Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ballentine Elementary?
Ballentine Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 711 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballentine Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ballentine Elementary is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ballentine Elementary rank in NC?
Ballentine Elementary is ranked #82 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Ballentine Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballentine Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ballentine Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballentine Elementary has 68.1% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ballentine Elementary a charter school?
No, Ballentine Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ballentine Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ballentine Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballentine Elementary?
28.1% of students at Ballentine Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fuquay-varina). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 711
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 557-1120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #5 of 194
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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