Average
#1277 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 48% 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
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,277 of 2,648
In Newton
#7 of 9
public schools
In district
#15 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Blackburn Elementary
Elementary School in Newton · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jacobs Fork Middle
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fred T Foard High
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Blackburn Elementary
Blackburn Elementary is a public elementary school in Newton, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Blackburn Elementary serves approximately 488 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Blackburn Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,277 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Blackburn Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Blackburn 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
Blackburn Elementary — Students at Blackburn Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
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 38 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: 5.7/10.
How Blackburn Elementary Compares
See how Blackburn 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
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. Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Vale), which scores notably 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 | 6.6 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Startown Elementary Newton | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 4.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 6.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 7.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 7.2 mi | 2.6 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 6.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 7.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 6.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton | 7.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 6.8 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 7.2 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lakeshore Elementary Mooresville, NC | 6.4 |
| Lansdowne Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.4 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington, NC | 6.4 |
| M B Hubbard Elementary Battleboro, NC | 6.4 |
| Midway Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.4 |
| North Wilkesboro Elementary School North Wilkesboro, NC | 6.4 |
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 ranks #1,277 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Blackburn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Blackburn Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Blackburn Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Blackburn Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.5%
- Phone
- (704) 462-1344
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #15 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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