Excellent
#9 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Banner Elk Elementary
Elementary School · Avery County Schools
155 Orchard Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#9 of 2,648
In district
#1 of 8
Avery County Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Banner Elk Elementary
Elementary School in Banner Elk · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rainbow Christian Academy
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Newland Elementary
5.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Banner Elk Elementary
Banner Elk Elementary is a public elementary school in Banner Elk, NC, part of Avery County Schools. Banner Elk Elementary serves approximately 168 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Banner Elk Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #9 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Banner Elk Elementary show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.4 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 168 students, Banner Elk Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Banner Elk 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
Banner Elk Elementary — Students at Banner Elk Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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 Banner Elk Elementary Compares
See how Banner Elk 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
155 Orchard Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Banner Elk Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blowing Rock Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Blowing Rock), with a comparable rating. Another option is Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), a more accessible option. Additionally, Cloudland Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Roan Mountain), a more accessible option. For more schools in Banner Elk, see our Banner Elk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 4.9 mi | — |
| Newland Elementary Newland | 5.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 6.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Avery Middle Newland | 6.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Avery County High Newland | 6.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 5.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park | 5.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Crossnore Elementary Crossnore | 9.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore | 9.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 10.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas | 9.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock | 10.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain | 11.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Mabel Elementary Zionville | 13.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 12.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Cloudland High School Roan Mountain | 11.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 12.3 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 12.6 mi | — |
| Watauga High Boone | 12.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Watauga Innovation Academy Boone | 12.4 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,052
Median Home Value
$319,200
Median Rent
$932/mo
Population
7,280
College Educated
44.1%
Homeownership
76.5%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
42.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beaver Dam Elementary Roseboro, NC | 9.3 |
| ECU Community School Greenville, NC | 9.5 |
| Lincoln Heights Montessori Charlotte, NC | 9.6 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville, NC | 9.1 |
| Quest Academy Raleigh, NC | 9.1 |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda, NC | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Banner Elk Elementary
What grades does Banner Elk Elementary serve?
Banner Elk Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Banner Elk Elementary?
Banner Elk Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Banner Elk Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Banner Elk Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Banner Elk Elementary rank in NC?
Banner Elk Elementary ranks #9 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Banner Elk Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Banner Elk Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 Banner Elk Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Banner Elk Elementary has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Banner Elk Elementary a charter school?
No, Banner Elk Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Banner Elk Elementary a Title I school?
No, Banner Elk Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Banner Elk Elementary?
98.2% of students at Banner Elk 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 168
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Avery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.9%
- Phone
- (828) 737-5700
Resources & Links
District
Avery County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,856
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,513
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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