Excellent
#345 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Cornelius Elementary
Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
21126 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Enrollment
556
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
556
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cornelius
#1 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#311 of 1,474
In district
#23 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Cornelius Elementary
Cornelius Elementary is a public elementary school in Cornelius, NC, part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The school serves approximately 556 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 14 points above the state average and 64% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $115,746, where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Cornelius Elementary — Students at Cornelius Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.9%
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: 8.6/10.
How Cornelius Elementary Compares
See how Cornelius Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 79.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 69% (2025).
Location
21126 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cornelius Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Davidson K-8 School (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Davidson), with a very similar rating. Another option is Grand Oak Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Huntersville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Torrence Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Huntersville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cornelius, see our Cornelius schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| J.V. Washam Elementary Cornelius | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Davidson K-8 School Davidson | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| DAVIDSON DAY SCHOOL Davidson | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Community School of Davidson Davidson | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| GRACE COVENANT ACADEMY Cornelius | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Bailey Middle Cornelius | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Lakeside Charter Academy Cornelius | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| William Amos Hough High Cornelius | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| LAKE NORMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Huntersville | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAKE NORMAN Huntersville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Grand Oak Elementary Huntersville | 3.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Pine Lake Preparatory Mooresville | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Langtree Charter Academy Mooresville | 4.1 mi | 5.0 |
| ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntersville | 4.1 mi | 4.6 |
| CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT LAKE NORMAN Huntersville | 4.2 mi | — |
| LIBERTY PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mooresville | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Coddle Creek Elementary Mooresville | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Torrence Creek Elementary Huntersville | 4.8 mi | 8.1 |
| LOCK AND KEY ACADEMY Huntersville | 4.9 mi | — |
| Huntersville Elementary Huntersville | 5.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,746
Median Home Value
$497,400
Median Rent
$1,587/mo
Population
31,021
College Educated
60.6%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cornelius Elementary has a median household income of $115,746. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $497,400, with a median rent of $1,587/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Coopers Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.2 |
| Creech Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.2 |
| Creekside Elementary Winterville, NC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cornelius Elementary
What grades does Cornelius Elementary serve?
Cornelius Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cornelius Elementary?
Cornelius Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 556 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cornelius Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cornelius Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cornelius Elementary rank in NC?
Cornelius Elementary is ranked #345 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cornelius Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cornelius Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Cornelius Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cornelius Elementary has 72.9% math proficiency and 64.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cornelius Elementary a charter school?
No, Cornelius Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cornelius Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cornelius Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cornelius Elementary?
29.9% of students at Cornelius 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cornelius). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 556
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Phone
- (980) 343-3905
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #23 of 179
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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