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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.6%
Math vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,582

Catawba Springs Elementary — Students at Catawba Springs Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.1%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
61%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
79.4%
ELA
71.8%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Catawba Springs Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
64th percentile in NC
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (797/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#5 of 21

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 methodology

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