Very Good
#775 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 29% in state
Bethel Elementary
Elementary School · Watauga County Schools
138 Bethel School Rd, Sugar Grove, NC 28679
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#775 of 2,648
In Sugar Grove
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#6 of 10
Watauga County Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Bethel Elementary
Elementary School in Sugar Grove · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mabel Elementary
6.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cove Creek Elementary
6.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bethel Elementary
Bethel Elementary is a public elementary school in Sugar Grove, NC, part of Watauga County Schools. Bethel Elementary serves approximately 143 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 8.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #775 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Bethel Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 7.1
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 143 students, Bethel 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.
At 8.4:1 students to teachers, Bethel Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Bethel 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
Bethel Elementary — Students at Bethel Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Bethel Elementary Compares
See how Bethel 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
138 Bethel School Rd, Sugar Grove, NC 28679
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bethel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banner Elk Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hardin Park Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Boone), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sugar Grove, see our Sugar Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mabel Elementary Zionville | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City | 8.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 10.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Doe Elementary Mountain City | 10.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Little Milligan Butler | 9.6 mi | 7.4 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 11.8 mi | — |
| Mountain City Elementary Mountain City | 12.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park | 12.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 12.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City | 13.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Johnson Co High School Mountain City | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 11.0 mi | — |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 11.4 mi | — |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 11.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone | 11.3 mi | 6.0 |
| MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City | 14.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Watauga High Boone | 12.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Watauga Innovation Academy Boone | 12.3 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28679 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,833
Median Home Value
$282,400
Median Rent
$1,049/mo
Population
2,535
College Educated
35.6%
Homeownership
87.2%
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
44.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| OUR LADY PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rocky Mount, NC | 7.4 |
| S W Snowden Elementary Aurora, NC | 7.4 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn, NC | 7.5 |
| FOLLOW THE CHILD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Raleigh, NC | 7.5 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury, NC | 7.5 |
| ST EGBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morehead City, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethel Elementary
What grades does Bethel Elementary serve?
Bethel Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Bethel Elementary?
Bethel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 143 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethel Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Elementary is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bethel Elementary rank in NC?
Bethel Elementary ranks #775 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bethel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Bethel Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethel Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Bethel Elementary a charter school?
No, Bethel Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bethel Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bethel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethel Elementary?
54.5% of students at Bethel 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 143
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Watauga County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.2%
- Phone
- (828) 297-2240
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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