Excellent
#293 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
Banks Elementary
Elementary School · Lenoir County Public Schools
2148 Falling Creek Rd, Kinston, NC 28504
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kinston
#3 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#265 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 17
Lenoir County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Banks Elementary
Banks Elementary is a public elementary school in Kinston, NC, part of the Lenoir County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 483 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 50% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,650, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Banks 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
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Banks Elementary — Students at Banks Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
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: 9.1/10.
How Banks Elementary Compares
See how Banks Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 66.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 53.4% (2025).
Location
2148 Falling Creek Rd, Kinston, NC 28504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Banks Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moss Hill Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 7.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southwood Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 8.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northwest Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 4.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kinston, see our Kinston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kinston | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
| FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Northwest Elementary Kinston | 4.3 mi | 8.2 |
| ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Kinston High Kinston | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston | 6.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Moss Hill Elementary Kinston | 7.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Lenoir County Early College High Kinston | 6.9 mi | 7.0 |
| E B Frink Middle La Grange | 6.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Northeast Elementary Kinston | 6.7 mi | 7.1 |
| La Grange Elementary La Grange | 6.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston | 6.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Woodington Middle Kinston | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Southwood Elementary Kinston | 8.2 mi | 8.4 |
| South Lenoir High Deep Run | 9.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 9.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Snow Hill Primary Snow Hill | 11.7 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,650
Median Home Value
$124,500
Median Rent
$905/mo
Population
20,325
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
61.9%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
43.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Banks Elementary has a median household income of $50,650. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,500, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Alderman Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 8.3 |
| Bethesda Elementary Durham, NC | 8.3 |
| Cary Elementary Cary, NC | 8.3 |
| Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.3 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington, NC | 8.3 |
| Grand Oak Elementary Huntersville, NC | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Banks Elementary
What grades does Banks Elementary serve?
Banks Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Banks Elementary?
Banks Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Banks Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Banks Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Banks Elementary rank in NC?
Banks Elementary is ranked #293 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Banks Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Banks Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Banks Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Banks Elementary has 56.2% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Banks Elementary a charter school?
No, Banks Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Banks Elementary a Title I school?
No, Banks Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Banks Elementary?
98.6% of students at Banks 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 (Kinston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 483
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lenoir County
- Phone
- (252) 527-9470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lenoir County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,372
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,902
- District Rank
- #4 of 17
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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