Average
#1907 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
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,907 of 2,648
In Dallas
#4 of 6
public schools
In district
#32 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Equity
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Costner Elementary
Elementary School in Dallas · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gaston Early College High School
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Costner Elementary
Costner Elementary is a public elementary school in Dallas, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Costner Elementary serves approximately 453 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Costner Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,907 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Costner Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Costner 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.
31% of students at Costner 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Costner Elementary — Students at Costner Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Costner Elementary Compares
See how Costner Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Pleasant Ridge Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carr Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 8.4 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| W C Friday Middle School Dallas | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| 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 | 3.5 |
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 9.3 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City | 3.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 4.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 4.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 4.6 mi | 5.7 |
| ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas | 4.1 mi | — |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 3.6 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern, NC | 5.2 |
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.2 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington, NC | 5.2 |
| Clara J Peck Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.2 |
| Cornatzer Elementary Mocksville, NC | 5.2 |
| First Flight Elementary School Kill Devil Hills, NC | 5.2 |
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 ranks #1,907 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Costner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Costner Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Costner Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Costner Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.3%
- Phone
- (704) 922-3522
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #32 of 56
How we rate schools
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