Very Good
#656 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 25% in state
Balls Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Catawba County Schools
2620 Balls Creek Road, Newton, NC 28658
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#3 of 9
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#563 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Balls Creek Elementary
Balls Creek Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Newton, North Carolina, nestled in a rural setting near the town center. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 698 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. Balls Creek Elementary employs 47 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community.
Academically, Balls Creek Elementary stands at the 68th percentile among North Carolina schools, ranking as the 852nd best school out of 2661 statewide. The MySchoolScout Rating is 6.6/10, with a more detailed academic score of 7.3/10. In reading and ELA, 52% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is higher at 70%.
These scores indicate that there is room for continued growth and improvement in certain areas. Balls Creek Elementary provides a nurturing environment where teachers focus on individual student development and achievement. The school's setting in a rural area offers a close-knit community feel, enhancing students' overall learning experience.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Balls Creek Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Balls Creek Elementary — Students at Balls Creek Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 7.8/10.
How Balls Creek Elementary Compares
See how Balls Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 74% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 53.4% (2025).
Location
2620 Balls Creek Road, Newton, NC 28658
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Balls Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Newton Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 7.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Catawba Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Catawba), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Maiden Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Maiden), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Middle Claremont | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Bandys High Catawba | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont | 6.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba | 5.8 mi | 8.1 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 5.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Discovery High School Newton | 6.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton | 6.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 7.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 7.8 mi | 5.6 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 7.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Shuford Elementary Conover | 7.5 mi | 5.8 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 7.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 8.2 mi | 5.4 |
| River Bend Middle Claremont | 8.5 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,805
Median Home Value
$192,500
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
25,681
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Balls Creek Elementary has a median household income of $67,805. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| A T Allen Elementary Concord, NC | 7.6 |
| Alamance Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.6 |
| Blackburn Elementary Newton, NC | 7.6 |
| Forestville Road Elementary Knightdale, NC | 7.6 |
| Howard L Hall Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.6 |
| Lake Myra Elementary Wendell, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Balls Creek Elementary
What grades does Balls Creek Elementary serve?
Balls Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Balls Creek Elementary?
Balls Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 698 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Balls Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Balls Creek Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Balls Creek Elementary rank in NC?
Balls Creek Elementary is ranked #656 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Balls Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Balls Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Balls Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Balls Creek Elementary has 70.1% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Balls Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Balls Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Balls Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Balls Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Balls Creek Elementary?
61.9% of students at Balls Creek 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 698
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (828) 464-4766
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #7 of 27
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
- Best Public Schools in Massachusetts 2026: Top Districts Statewidebest schools
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Charlotte, NC — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.