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Very Good

#826 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 31% in state

Cove Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Watauga County Schools

930 Vanderpool Rd, Vilas, NC 28692

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#826 of 2,648

In district

#7 of 10

Watauga County Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Cove Creek Elementary

7.3/10

Elementary School in Vilas · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valle Crucis Elementary

6.6/10

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

Mabel Elementary

5.4/10

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

About Cove Creek Elementary

Cove Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Vilas, NC, part of Watauga County Schools. Cove Creek Elementary serves approximately 297 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cove Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #826 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Cove Creek Elementary show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Cove Creek 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,003
Chronic Absenteeism22.6%

Cove Creek Elementary — Students at Cove Creek Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 57.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 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
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
52.1%
ELA
58.7%
2025
Math
69.2%
ELA
57.4%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Cove Creek Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in NC
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

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

930 Vanderpool Rd, Vilas, NC 28692

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cove Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banner Elk Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blowing Rock Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Blowing Rock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vilas, see our Vilas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove 3.8 mi 6.6
Mabel Elementary Zionville 4.4 mi 5.4
MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone 4.9 mi
Watauga Virtual Academy Boone 5.3 mi
Hardin Park Elementary Boone 5.4 mi 7.6
Green Valley Elementary Boone 5.8 mi 6.0
Watauga High Boone 6.2 mi 8.7
Watauga Innovation Academy Boone 6.2 mi 7.8
Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove 6.1 mi 7.4
Two Rivers Community School Boone 7.8 mi 6.2
Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock 9.6 mi 8.4
Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk 9.8 mi 9.4
Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City 12.1 mi 5.0
Parkway Elementary Boone 10.5 mi 8.2
Mountain City Elementary Mountain City 15.1 mi 4.4
Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City 15.4 mi 6.1
Johnson Co High School Mountain City 15.4 mi 5.1
RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park 13.6 mi
Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park 14.3 mi 8.3
Doe Elementary Mountain City 15.4 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28692 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,750

Median Home Value

$289,200

Median Rent

$985/mo

Population

4,462

College Educated

40.1%

Homeownership

73.7%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

45.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Allenbrook Elementary Charlotte, NC 7.3
Aquadale Elementary Norwood, NC 7.3
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL High Point, NC 7.3
Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville, NC 7.3
Long Hill Elementary Fayetteville, NC 7.3
Marie G Davis School Charlotte, NC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cove Creek Elementary

What grades does Cove Creek Elementary serve?

Cove Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Cove Creek Elementary?

Cove Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cove Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cove Creek Elementary is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cove Creek Elementary rank in NC?

Cove Creek Elementary ranks #826 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cove Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cove Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Cove Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cove Creek Elementary has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cove Creek Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cove Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cove Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

43.4% of students at Cove Creek 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Watauga County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

District

Watauga County Schools
District Enrollment
4,746
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,003
District Rank
#7 of 10

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