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Average

#2008 of 2,648 schools in NC

Central Elementary

Elementary School · Northampton County Schools

9742 NC Hwy 305, Jackson, NC 27845

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,008 of 2,648

In district

#4 of 5

Northampton County Schools

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Central Elementary

5.0/10

Elementary School in Jackson · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northampton Virtual Academy

Nearby

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Northeast Academy

5.9/10

8.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Jackson, NC, part of Northampton County Schools. Central Elementary serves approximately 293 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,008 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Central 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.

48% of students at Central Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,303
Chronic Absenteeism48.1%

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 28.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.1% (2025 NC)

Based on 32 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
29.7%
ELA
16.7%
2025
Math
42.4%
ELA
32.2%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in NC
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

9742 NC Hwy 305, Jackson, NC 27845

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gaston STEM Leadership Academy (rated 6.2/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Gaston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belmont Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Roanoke Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manning Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Roanoke Rapids), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Northampton Virtual Academy Jackson 1.6 mi
NORTHEAST ACADEMY Lasker 8.7 mi 5.9
Weldon Middle Halifax 9.4 mi 6.0
Weldon Elementary Global Academy Weldon 9.2 mi 3.8
Weldon STEM High School Career Academies Weldon 9.9 mi 6.9
Halifax County Early College High Weldon 10.2 mi 6.4
Northampton Early College Weldon 10.2 mi 8.2
Roanoke Valley Early College Weldon 10.2 mi 7.4
Conway Middle Conway 11.8 mi 5.0
Manning Elementary School Roanoke Rapids 11.9 mi 5.9
Roanoke Rapids High School Roanoke Rapids 12.5 mi 3.3
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory Gaston 12.9 mi 4.7
Roanoke Rapids Early College High Roanoke Rapids 12.5 mi 5.9
Chaloner Middle School Roanoke Rapids 12.6 mi 5.8
Southeast Halifax Collegiate Prep Academ Halifax 15.2 mi 7.0
Gaston STEM Leadership Academy Gaston 13.6 mi 6.2
HALIFAX ACADEMY Roanoke Rapids 13.2 mi 5.0
Northampton County High School Gaston 13.8 mi 2.7
Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids 13.8 mi 6.1
KIPP Halifax College Preparatory Halifax 14.2 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27845 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,021

Median Home Value

$87,200

Median Rent

$750/mo

Population

2,339

College Educated

19.6%

Homeownership

76.5%

Poverty Rate

16.7%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GRACE COVENANT ACADEMY Cornelius, NC 5.0
Gouge Elementary Bakersville, NC 5.0
Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs, NC 5.0
Rex-Rennert Elementary Shannon, NC 5.0
Southmont Elementary Lexington, NC 5.0
Tyro Elementary Lexington, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary

What grades does Central Elementary serve?

Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Central Elementary?

Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary rank in NC?

Central Elementary ranks #2,008 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Central Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elementary a charter school?

No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?

99.0% of students at Central 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Northampton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.1%

District

Northampton County Schools
District Enrollment
1,300
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,303
District Rank
#4 of 5

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