Skip to main content

Average

#1076 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 41% in state

Bethlehem Elementary

Elementary School · Alexander County Schools

7900 NC Hwy 127, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,076 of 2,648

In Taylorsville

#5 of 8

public schools

In district

#7 of 11

Alexander County Schools

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Bethlehem Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Bethlehem Elementary

6.8/10

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

West Alexander Middle

8.4/10

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

W M Jenkins Elementary

6.9/10

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

About Bethlehem Elementary

Bethlehem Elementary is a public elementary school in Taylorsville, NC, part of Alexander County Schools. Bethlehem Elementary serves approximately 452 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethlehem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,076 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Bethlehem Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Bethlehem 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 Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,929
Chronic Absenteeism13.3%

Bethlehem Elementary — Students at Bethlehem Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 59.9% (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
96%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
58%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
63.8%
ELA
57.4%
2025
Math
67%
ELA
59.8%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Bethlehem Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in NC
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

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

7900 NC Hwy 127, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethlehem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clyde Campbell Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Snow Creek Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Taylorsville, see our Taylorsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
West Alexander Middle Taylorsville 2.5 mi 8.4
W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory 3.9 mi 6.9
Gateway School Granite Falls 3.7 mi 5.2
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 4.3 mi 7.8
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory 4.8 mi 5.9
Northview Middle Hickory 4.9 mi 5.8
Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville 4.0 mi 6.5
Snow Creek Elementary Hickory 4.6 mi 7.7
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 4.9 mi 4.9
Saint Stephens High Hickory 5.1 mi 4.8
Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls 4.7 mi 5.0
Viewmont Elementary Hickory 6.0 mi 3.6
Hickory High Hickory 6.1 mi 4.5
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory 6.4 mi 4.7
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory 6.5 mi 8.7
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville 6.6 mi 6.5
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory 6.9 mi 6.3
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory 7.1 mi
Oakwood Elementary Hickory 7.1 mi 8.3
NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover 6.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28681 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,343

Median Home Value

$188,000

Median Rent

$719/mo

Population

26,117

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

44.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork Walkertown, NC 6.8
B O Barnes Elementary Wilson, NC 6.8
Bailey Elementary Bailey, NC 6.8
Benson Elementary Benson, NC 6.8
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy, NC 6.8
Carr Elementary Dallas, NC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethlehem Elementary

What grades does Bethlehem Elementary serve?

Bethlehem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bethlehem Elementary?

Bethlehem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethlehem Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethlehem Elementary is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethlehem Elementary rank in NC?

Bethlehem Elementary ranks #1,076 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bethlehem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethlehem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Bethlehem Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethlehem Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bethlehem Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Bethlehem Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.3% of students at Bethlehem 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Alexander County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

District

Alexander County Schools
District Enrollment
4,365
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,929
District Rank
#7 of 11

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.