Excellent
#281 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% 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
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vale
#1 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#253 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Banoak Elementary
Banoak Elementary is a public elementary school in Vale, NC, part of the Catawba County Schools. The school serves approximately 271 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 54% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $63,396, where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Banoak 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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Banoak Elementary — Students at Banoak Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 9.2/10.
How Banoak Elementary Compares
See how Banoak Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 64.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 57.4% (2025).
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. George Hildebrand Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Connelly Springs), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Brook Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Blackburn Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.3 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 5.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 5.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Blackburn Elementary Newton | 5.3 mi | 7.6 |
| North Brook Elementary Vale | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton | 6.9 mi | 5.3 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 7.1 mi | 6.3 |
| George Hildebrand Elementary Connelly Springs | 6.6 mi | 8.7 |
| REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran | 9.0 mi | — |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 9.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Hildebran Elementary Hildebran | 9.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Childers Elementary Lincolnton | 8.9 mi | 5.8 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 9.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 9.7 mi | 5.3 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 9.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 10.3 mi | 5.4 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 10.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 10.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Startown Elementary Newton | 9.1 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Banoak Elementary has a median household income of $63,396. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $821/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont, NC | 8.3 |
| Middlesex Elementary Middlesex, NC | 8.3 |
| Norwood Elementary Norwood, NC | 8.3 |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.3 |
| Perry W Harrison Elementary Pittsboro, NC | 8.3 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe, NC | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #281 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Banoak Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Banoak 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 Banoak Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Banoak Elementary has 58.4% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (704) 462-2849
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #1 of 27
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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