Very Good
#820 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 31% in state
Bethlehem Elementary
Elementary School · Alexander County Schools
7900 NC Hwy 127, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Taylorsville
#2 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#673 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 11
Alexander County Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Bethlehem Elementary
Bethlehem Elementary, nestled in a rural area near Taylorsville, North Carolina, is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 452 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, Bethlehem Elementary offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The school has 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Bethlehem Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.6 out of 10, reflecting a solid foundation with room for improvement in certain areas. In the state ranking, it comes in at #847 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 68th percentile. The school’s academic score is 7.3/10, indicating that while many students are performing well, there's potential for further growth.
In terms of proficiency rates, 58% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 61% in math. These scores suggest a strong focus on student development across various subjects, with an emphasis on continuous improvement. Bethlehem Elementary is situated in a rural setting that provides a close-knit community feel for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bethlehem 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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Bethlehem Elementary — Students at Bethlehem Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 7.2/10.
How Bethlehem Elementary Compares
See how Bethlehem Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 67.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 59.8% (2025).
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 8.2/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dudley Shoals Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), 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 | 7.9 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 3.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Gateway School Granite Falls | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 4.3 mi | 8.2 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 4.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville | 4.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 4.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 4.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 6.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 6.1 mi | 4.4 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 6.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville | 6.6 mi | 4.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethlehem Elementary has a median household income of $61,343. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,000, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood, NC | 7.3 |
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.3 |
| Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.3 |
| Brevard Elementary Brevard, NC | 7.3 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage, NC | 7.3 |
| Claxton Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #820 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bethlehem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethlehem Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Bethlehem Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethlehem Elementary has 61.4% math proficiency and 57.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Taylorsville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 495-8198
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alexander County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,365
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,929
- District Rank
- #3 of 11
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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