Very Good
#595 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 22% 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
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#595 of 2,648
In Newton
#3 of 9
public schools
In district
#4 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Balls Creek Elementary?
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Balls Creek Elementary
Elementary School in Newton · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mill Creek Middle
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bandys High
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Balls Creek Elementary
Balls Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Newton, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Balls Creek Elementary serves approximately 698 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Balls Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #595 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Balls Creek Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Balls Creek Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Balls Creek Elementary — Students at Balls Creek Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 38 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.7/10.
How Balls Creek Elementary Compares
See how Balls Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.4/10, 7.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Shuford Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Conover), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pumpkin Center Primary (rated 7.7/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.3 |
| Bandys High Catawba | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont | 6.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 6.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 5.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 6.1 mi | 6.4 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 5.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Discovery High School Newton | 6.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton | 6.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 6.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 7.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 7.8 mi | 4.9 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 7.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Shuford Elementary Conover | 7.5 mi | 8.0 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 7.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 7.2 mi | 5.0 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 8.2 mi | 6.8 |
| River Bend Middle Claremont | 8.5 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bain Elementary Mint Hill, NC | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Midland, NC | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton, NC | 7.7 |
| Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.7 |
| Carpenter Elementary Cary, NC | 7.7 |
| Edward Best Elementary Louisburg, NC | 7.7 |
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 ranks #595 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Balls Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Balls Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Balls Creek Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Balls Creek Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.8%
- Phone
- (828) 464-4766
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #4 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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