Excellent
#370 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 14% in state
Cove Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Watauga County Schools
930 Vanderpool Rd, Vilas, NC 28692
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#334 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 10
Watauga County Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Cove Creek Elementary
Cove Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Vilas, NC, part of the Watauga County Schools. The school serves approximately 297 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.1th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 63% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 56% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $48,750, where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cove Creek 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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Cove Creek Elementary — Students at Cove Creek Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 8.0/10.
How Cove Creek Elementary Compares
See how Cove Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 70.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 58% (2025).
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 9.8/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Valle Crucis Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), which scores slightly 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 | 8.6 |
| Mabel Elementary Zionville | 4.4 mi | 8.4 |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 4.9 mi | — |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 5.3 mi | — |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 5.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone | 5.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Watauga High Boone | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Watauga Innovation Academy Boone | 6.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 6.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Two Rivers Community School Boone | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock | 9.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 9.8 mi | 9.8 |
| Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City | 12.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Parkway Elementary Boone | 10.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Mountain City Elementary Mountain City | 15.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City | 15.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Johnson Co High School Mountain City | 15.4 mi | 5.0 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 13.6 mi | — |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 14.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Doe Elementary Mountain City | 15.4 mi | 3.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cove Creek Elementary has a median household income of $48,750. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,200, with a median rent of $985/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Cameron Elementary Cameron, NC | 8.2 |
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus Charlotte, NC | 8.2 |
| Fairview Elementary Monroe, NC | 8.2 |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #370 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cove Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cove Creek 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 Cove Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cove Creek Elementary has 62.6% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 297-2781
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
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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