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Average

#1229 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 46% in state

Banoak Elementary

Elementary School · Catawba County Schools

7651 W NC 10 Hwy, Vale, NC 28168

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,229 of 2,648

In Vale

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#13 of 27

Catawba County Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Banoak Elementary

6.5/10

Elementary School in Vale · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jacobs Fork Middle

6.6/10

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

Fred T Foard High

5.7/10

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

About Banoak Elementary

Banoak Elementary is a public elementary school in Vale, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Banoak Elementary serves approximately 271 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Banoak Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,229 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Banoak Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Banoak 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 Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,487
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Banoak Elementary — Students at Banoak Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 38 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
86%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
51.1%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
64%
ELA
57.3%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Banoak Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

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

7651 W NC 10 Hwy, Vale, NC 28168

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Banoak Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Icard Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Connelly Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vale, see our Vale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton 3.4 mi 6.6
Fred T Foard High Newton 3.5 mi 5.7
Union Elementary Vale 5.2 mi 8.2
Mountain View Elementary Hickory 5.8 mi 8.3
Blackburn Elementary Newton 5.3 mi 6.4
North Brook Elementary Vale 6.4 mi 7.1
West Lincoln High Lincolnton 6.9 mi 7.3
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 7.1 mi 6.4
George Hildebrand Elementary Connelly Springs 6.6 mi 6.8
REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran 9.0 mi
Southwest Primary Hickory 9.0 mi 2.6
Hildebran Elementary Hildebran 9.2 mi 5.2
Childers Elementary Lincolnton 8.9 mi 4.9
East Burke Middle Connelly Springs 9.6 mi 5.0
Grandview Middle Hickory 9.7 mi 4.8
MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton 9.0 mi 4.2
Longview Elementary Hickory 10.3 mi 6.7
East Burke High Connelly Springs 10.3 mi 6.1
Icard Elementary Connelly Springs 10.6 mi 7.7
Startown Elementary Newton 9.1 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28168 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,396

Median Home Value

$176,100

Median Rent

$821/mo

Population

10,436

College Educated

15.1%

Homeownership

83.5%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

46.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington, NC 6.5
Candler Elementary Candler, NC 6.5
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville, NC 6.5
Monroe Avenue Elementary Hamlet, NC 6.5
Nebo Elementary School Nebo, NC 6.5
North Harnett Primary Angier, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Banoak Elementary

What grades does Banoak Elementary serve?

Banoak Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Banoak Elementary?

Banoak Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Banoak Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Banoak Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Banoak Elementary rank in NC?

Banoak Elementary ranks #1,229 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Banoak Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Banoak Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Banoak Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Banoak Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Banoak Elementary a charter school?

No, Banoak Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Banoak Elementary a Title I school?

No, Banoak Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Banoak Elementary?

64.6% of students at Banoak 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
7 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Catawba County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

Catawba County Schools
District Enrollment
15,880
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,487
District Rank
#13 of 27

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