Average
#1358 of 2,648 schools in NC
Costner Elementary
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
353 Old 277 Loop Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dallas
#4 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,003 of 1,474
In district
#18 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Costner Elementary
Costner Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Dallas, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school boasts an enrollment of 453 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Costner Elementary focuses on providing a solid educational foundation for its young learners.
The school's academic performance is reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 40th percentile, placing it at number 1602 among North Carolina’s 2661 schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 46%, while the Math proficiency rate is slightly higher at 51%. These scores indicate that Costner Elementary has room for academic growth and continues to focus on student development.
With its rural setting near a town, Costner Elementary offers students a close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Costner Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Costner Elementary — Students at Costner Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 6.6/10.
How Costner Elementary Compares
See how Costner Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 53.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 46.9% (2025).
Location
353 Old 277 Loop Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Costner Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carr Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dallas, see our Dallas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gaston Early College High School Dallas | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| W C Friday Middle School Dallas | 2.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| North Gaston High Dallas | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Bessemer City Central Elem Bessemer City | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City | 3.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City | 3.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 4.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 4.6 mi | 1.9 |
| ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas | 4.1 mi | — |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 5.1 mi | 4.9 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.8 mi | 8.1 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,969
Median Home Value
$221,000
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
19,470
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
73.4%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Costner Elementary has a median household income of $59,969. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,000, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Burnsville Elementary Burnsville, NC | 6.4 |
| Chinquapin Elementary Chinquapin, NC | 6.4 |
| Deep Branch Elementary Lumberton, NC | 6.4 |
| Fred L Wilson Elementary Kannapolis, NC | 6.4 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Burlington, NC | 6.4 |
| Holly Tree Elementary Wilmington, NC | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Costner Elementary
What grades does Costner Elementary serve?
Costner Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Costner Elementary?
Costner Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Costner Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Costner Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Costner Elementary rank in NC?
Costner Elementary is ranked #1358 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Costner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Costner Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Costner Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Costner Elementary has 51.3% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Costner Elementary a charter school?
No, Costner Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Costner Elementary a Title I school?
No, Costner Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Costner Elementary?
99.3% of students at Costner 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
- City Safety
- High (2,072/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dallas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 922-3522
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #18 of 56
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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