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Below Average

#2196 of 2,648 schools in NC

Coats Elementary

Elementary School · Harnett County Schools

585 Brick Mill Road, Coats, NC 27521

Enrollment

653

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,196 of 2,648

In district

#23 of 27

Harnett County Schools

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Coats Elementary

4.5/10

Elementary School in Coats · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Coats-erwin Middle

4.9/10

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

Buies Creek Elementary

4.5/10

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

About Coats Elementary

Coats Elementary is a public elementary school in Coats, NC, part of Harnett County Schools. Coats Elementary serves approximately 653 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Coats Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,196 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Coats Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Coats 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.

32% of students at Coats 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 Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,877
Chronic Absenteeism32.2%

Coats Elementary — Students at Coats Elementary score 36% 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

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 35 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
69%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
30.4%
2025
Math
37.4%
ELA
34%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Coats Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in NC
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.2%

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

585 Brick Mill Road, Coats, NC 27521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Coats Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dixon Road Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Willow Spring), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carolina Charter Academy (rated 7.4/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Angier), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Benson Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Benson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Coats, see our Coats schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn 2.2 mi 4.9
Buies Creek Elementary Buies Creek 3.3 mi 4.5
Triton High Erwin 4.3 mi 4.9
Erwin Elementary Erwin 5.2 mi 3.6
Dunn Middle Dunn 5.9 mi 5.3
Dunn Elementary Dunn 6.8 mi 6.4
BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn 7.0 mi 7.0
Angier Elementary Angier 7.8 mi 4.8
Harnett Central High Angier 7.1 mi 4.6
Harnett County Early College Dunn 7.7 mi 8.5
FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn 8.3 mi 6.0
Harnett Central Middle Angier 7.4 mi 4.0
Benson Elementary Benson 7.0 mi 6.8
North Harnett Primary Angier 7.8 mi 6.5
STAR Academy Lillington 8.1 mi
Benson Middle Benson 8.4 mi 5.1
Carolina Charter Academy Angier 9.9 mi 7.4
McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier 9.7 mi 6.3
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 9.8 mi 5.3
Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring 10.4 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,540

Median Home Value

$201,700

Median Rent

$912/mo

Population

6,607

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

67%

Avg Commute

36 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Avery's Creek Elementary Arden, NC 4.5
Berryhill School Charlotte, NC 4.5
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville, NC 4.5
Brassfield Elementary Raleigh, NC 4.5
Forest Pines Drive Elementary Raleigh, NC 4.5
Haw River Elementary Haw River, NC 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Coats Elementary

What grades does Coats Elementary serve?

Coats Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Coats Elementary?

Coats Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 653 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Coats Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Coats Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Coats Elementary rank in NC?

Coats Elementary ranks #2,196 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Coats Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Coats Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Coats Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Coats Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Coats Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Coats Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.1% of students at Coats 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Harnett County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.2%

District

Harnett County Schools
District Enrollment
20,033
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,877
District Rank
#23 of 27

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