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#1612 of 2,648 schools in NC

Banks Elementary

Elementary School · Lenoir County Public Schools

2148 Falling Creek Rd, Kinston, NC 28504

Enrollment

483

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,612 of 2,648

In Kinston

#5 of 13

public schools

In district

#7 of 17

Lenoir County Public Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Banks Elementary

5.8/10

Elementary School in Kinston · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lenoir County Learning Academy

4.0/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bethel Christian Academy

5.9/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Banks Elementary

Banks Elementary is a public elementary school in Kinston, NC, part of Lenoir County Public Schools. Banks Elementary serves approximately 483 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Banks Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,612 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Banks Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Banks 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,902
Chronic Absenteeism22.8%

Banks Elementary — Students at Banks Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
88%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
48.5%
ELA
45.3%
2025
Math
66.7%
ELA
53.7%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Banks Elementary Compares

See how Banks Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Snow Hill Primary (rated 8.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Snow Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moss Hill Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 7.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southeast Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.0
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kinston 1.8 mi 5.9
North Lenoir High La Grange 4.2 mi 6.4
FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston 3.8 mi 7.1
Northwest Elementary Kinston 4.3 mi 5.5
ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston 4.9 mi 3.5
Kinston High Kinston 6.0 mi 4.5
Southeast Elementary Kinston 6.3 mi 6.5
Children's Village Academy Kinston 6.4 mi 5.2
Moss Hill Elementary Kinston 7.3 mi 7.4
Lenoir County Early College High Kinston 6.9 mi 7.8
E B Frink Middle La Grange 6.8 mi 5.0
Northeast Elementary Kinston 6.7 mi 4.9
La Grange Elementary La Grange 6.8 mi 5.4
Rochelle Middle Kinston 6.8 mi 4.6
Woodington Middle Kinston 8.8 mi 5.3
Southwood Elementary Kinston 8.2 mi 6.5
South Lenoir High Deep Run 9.5 mi 5.7
Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston 9.3 mi 5.7
Snow Hill Primary Snow Hill 11.7 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City, NC 5.8
Bethesda Elementary Durham, NC 5.8
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC 5.8
Brevard Elementary Brevard, NC 5.8
C C Wright Elementary School North Wilkesboro, NC 5.8
Deep Branch Elementary Lumberton, NC 5.8

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 ranks #1,612 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Banks Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Banks Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Banks Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Banks Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

District

Lenoir County Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,372
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,902
District Rank
#7 of 17

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