Very Good
#657 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 25% in state
Blackburn Elementary
Elementary School · Catawba County Schools
4377 W NC 10 Hwy, Newton, NC 28658
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#4 of 9
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#564 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Blackburn Elementary
Blackburn Elementary in Newton, North Carolina, is a welcoming rural school that serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 488 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school benefits from attentive educators who are committed to their pupils' academic success. The school's location near the town provides a supportive community environment while offering a rural setting that can be nurturing for young learners.
Blackburn Elementary boasts an impressive teaching staff of 31 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. Academic performance data shows that 53% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 63% are proficient or above in Math. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 places it at the 68th percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating room for improvement but also highlighting its strengths.
Blackburn Elementary is situated in a rural area near Newton, offering students a peaceful and community-focused setting for their early education years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Blackburn 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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Blackburn Elementary — Students at Blackburn 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
64.1%
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: 8.3/10.
How Blackburn Elementary Compares
See how Blackburn Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 68.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 54.2% (2025).
Location
4377 W NC 10 Hwy, Newton, NC 28658
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Blackburn Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banoak Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Vale), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Maiden Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Maiden), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jacobs Fork Middle Newton | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Startown Elementary Newton | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 4.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 6.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale | 5.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 6.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 7.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 7.2 mi | 7.4 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 6.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 7.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 6.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton | 7.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 8.4 mi | — |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory | 8.5 mi | 8.3 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton | 7.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 7.2 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,805
Median Home Value
$192,500
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
25,681
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Blackburn Elementary has a median household income of $67,805. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| A T Allen Elementary Concord, NC | 7.6 |
| Alamance Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.6 |
| Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington, NC | 7.6 |
| Etowah Elementary Etowah, NC | 7.6 |
| Forestville Road Elementary Knightdale, NC | 7.6 |
| Howard L Hall Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blackburn Elementary
What grades does Blackburn Elementary serve?
Blackburn Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Blackburn Elementary?
Blackburn Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Blackburn Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Blackburn Elementary is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Blackburn Elementary rank in NC?
Blackburn Elementary is ranked #657 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Blackburn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Blackburn Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Blackburn Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blackburn Elementary has 62.9% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Blackburn Elementary a charter school?
No, Blackburn Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Blackburn Elementary a Title I school?
No, Blackburn Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blackburn Elementary?
64.1% of students at Blackburn 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (704) 462-1344
- 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
- #8 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.
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