Average
#1850 of 2,648 schools in NC
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Stanly County Schools
206 N 3rd Street, Albemarle, NC 28001
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Albemarle
#5 of 9
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,231 of 1,474
In district
#15 of 22
Stanly County Schools
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Albemarle, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 551 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Central Elementary offers a supportive educational environment where students receive individual attention from dedicated educators.
The academic performance at Central Elementary places it in the 16th percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating there is room for improvement and growth. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 reflects areas where focus could be strengthened, particularly in ELA/Reading proficiency with only 29% of students meeting or exceeding standards and 36% in math. Central Elementary sits in a town setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for its students.
This environment encourages strong connections between families, teachers, and the local community to support student development and well-being.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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: 7.0/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 42.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 29.9% (2025).
Location
206 N 3rd Street, Albemarle, NC 28001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Badin Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Badin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Millingport Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richfield Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Richfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Albemarle, see our Albemarle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stanly Academy Learning Center Albemarle | 0.8 mi | — |
| STRAITWAY BAPTIST SCHOOL Albemarle | 0.8 mi | — |
| Stanly County Virtual Education Albemarle | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Albemarle High Albemarle | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Albemarle Middle Albemarle | 1.5 mi | 3.0 |
| East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle | 1.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Stanly Early College High Albemarle | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| North Stanly Middle New London | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| North Stanly High New London | 5.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Badin Elementary Badin | 5.6 mi | 8.8 |
| CHRIST THE KING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New London | 6.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Endy Elementary Albemarle | 5.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Millingport Elementary Albemarle | 6.0 mi | 8.7 |
| South Stanly Middle Norwood | 8.1 mi | 6.0 |
| South Stanly High Norwood | 8.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood | 8.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Richfield Elementary Richfield | 8.6 mi | 8.6 |
| TILLERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwood | 9.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Gray Stone Day Misenheimer | 10.0 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,610
Median Home Value
$194,200
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
26,187
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $55,610. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $194,200, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Angier Elementary Angier, NC | 5.6 |
| B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC | 5.6 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia, NC | 5.6 |
| Carver Heights Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 5.6 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 5.6 |
| Cliffdale Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 551 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 16.7:1. 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 is ranked #1850 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 36.0% math proficiency and 28.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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?
99.5% 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 551
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Stanly County
- Phone
- (704) 961-3200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Stanly County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,739
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,914
- District Rank
- #15 of 22
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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