Very Good
#966 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 36% in state
Catawba Springs Elementary
Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools
206 North Little Egypt Rd, Denver, NC 28037
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#1 of 7
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#778 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Catawba Springs Elementary
Catawba Springs Elementary serves 531 students in grades PK through 5 in Denver, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of Lincoln County's standout elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #460 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, the school demonstrates strong academic performance across all grade levels. The school's 33 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a comfortable 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio, supporting students in achieving impressive results.
Math performance particularly shines with 79% of students scoring proficient or above, while reading and language arts show solid achievement with 72% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Located on North Little Egypt Road, Catawba Springs Elementary draws from a well-educated community where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 28037 zip code reflects a stable, family-oriented area with a median household income of $110,932 and median home values of $404,700.
With just a 5.2% poverty rate among the area's nearly 25,000 residents, the school benefits from strong community support and resources. The school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to broader community amenities and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Catawba Springs 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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Catawba Springs Elementary — Students at Catawba Springs Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
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: 7.1/10.
How Catawba Springs Elementary Compares
See how Catawba Springs Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 61% (2019) to 79.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 71.6% (2025).
Location
206 North Little Egypt Rd, Denver, NC 28037
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Catawba Springs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pinewood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Mount Holly), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Barnette Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Huntersville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rock Springs Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 5.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East Lincoln High Denver | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| St James Elementary Denver | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| West Lake Preparatory Academy Denver | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Lincoln Charter School Denver | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| DENVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver | 3.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Rock Springs Elementary Denver | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| East Lincoln Middle Iron Station | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
| SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Mountain Island Charter School Mt. Holly | 6.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Community Public Charter Stanley | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Barnette Elementary Huntersville | 6.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Francis Bradley Middle Huntersville | 6.8 mi | 5.5 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 6.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Kiser Elementary Stanley | 7.6 mi | 5.8 |
| JUDAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stanley | 7.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Stanley Middle Stanley | 7.7 mi | 6.8 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAKE NORMAN Huntersville | 7.0 mi | — |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 7.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Pinewood Elementary Mount Holly | 8.9 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,779
Median Home Value
$455,700
Median Rent
$1,126/mo
Population
27,128
College Educated
45.7%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
45
Community Profile
The community surrounding Catawba Springs Elementary has a median household income of $109,779. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,700, with a median rent of $1,126/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa, NC | 7.1 |
| Brevard Academy Pisgah Forest, NC | 7.1 |
| Camden Intermediate Camden, NC | 7.1 |
| Fallston Elementary Fallston, NC | 7.1 |
| Franklin Elementary Mount Airy, NC | 7.1 |
| Laurel Hill Elementary Laurel Hill, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Catawba Springs Elementary
What grades does Catawba Springs Elementary serve?
Catawba Springs Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Catawba Springs Elementary?
Catawba Springs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 531 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Catawba Springs Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Catawba Springs Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Catawba Springs Elementary rank in NC?
Catawba Springs Elementary is ranked #966 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Catawba Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Catawba Springs Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Catawba Springs Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Catawba Springs Elementary has 76.1% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Catawba Springs Elementary a charter school?
No, Catawba Springs Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Catawba Springs Elementary a Title I school?
No, Catawba Springs Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Catawba Springs Elementary?
32.4% of students at Catawba Springs 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 531
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (704) 736-1895
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #5 of 21
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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