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Needs Improvement

#2512 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

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,512 of 2,648

In Albemarle

#7 of 9

public schools

In district

#20 of 22

Stanly County Schools

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Central Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in Albemarle · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Stanly Academy Learning Center

Nearby

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

Straitway Baptist School

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

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Albemarle, NC, part of Stanly County Schools. Central Elementary serves approximately 551 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,512 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,914
Chronic Absenteeism27.6%

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 36.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
57%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
33.7%
ELA
30.3%
2025
Math
42%
ELA
29.7%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in NC
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.6%

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

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 8.6/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Badin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Millingport Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aquadale Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Norwood), 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 2.8
Albemarle High Albemarle 1.2 mi 4.5
Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle 1.2 mi 6.0
Albemarle Middle Albemarle 1.5 mi 2.4
East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle 1.6 mi 3.7
Stanly Early College High Albemarle 2.5 mi 8.1
North Stanly Middle New London 4.4 mi 4.3
North Stanly High New London 5.1 mi 6.8
Badin Elementary Badin 5.6 mi 8.6
CHRIST THE KING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New London 6.6 mi 6.2
Endy Elementary Albemarle 5.8 mi 5.6
Millingport Elementary Albemarle 6.0 mi 8.0
South Stanly Middle Norwood 8.1 mi 4.3
South Stanly High Norwood 8.7 mi 5.4
Aquadale Elementary Norwood 8.8 mi 7.3
Richfield Elementary Richfield 8.6 mi 6.9
TILLERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwood 9.0 mi 4.8
Gray Stone Day Misenheimer 10.0 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC 3.4
Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville, NC 3.4
College Park Elementary Wilmington, NC 3.4
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington, NC 3.4
Joseph W Grier Academy Charlotte, NC 3.4
Oakdale Elementary Charlotte, NC 3.4

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 ranks #2,512 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Central Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% 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?

99.5% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.6%

District

Stanly County Schools
District Enrollment
8,739
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,914
District Rank
#20 of 22

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