Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2542 of 2,648 schools in NC

Dabney Elementary

Elementary School · Vance County Schools

150 Lanning Road, Henderson, NC 27537

Enrollment

411

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Henderson

#16 of 17

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,441 of 1,474

In district

#15 of 16

Vance County Schools

About Dabney Elementary

Dabney Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Henderson, North Carolina, within Vance County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 411 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1, Dabney Elementary ensures that each child receives individual attention.

There are 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the academic and social development of the students. Academically, Dabney Elementary is currently focusing on improving its performance, with MySchoolScout giving it a rating of 1.9 out of 10. The school ranks 2616th out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, which indicates there's room for growth and development.

In terms of proficiency rates, 30% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, while 23% are proficient or above in Math. The setting of Dabney Elementary is a rural area near Henderson, offering a peaceful environment conducive to learning. Despite the current academic challenges, the school community is committed to supporting its students and fostering an engaging educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dabney 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.7%
Math vs. State Avg-41 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,944

Dabney Elementary — Students at Dabney Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.9%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 30.4%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
29%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
24.1%
ELA
34.2%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Dabney Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in NC
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

150 Lanning Road, Henderson, NC 27537

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dabney Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. E M Rollins Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is C. G. Credle Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Oxford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L B Yancey Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Henderson, see our Henderson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Vance Co Early College Henderson 0.6 mi 7.4
KERR-VANCE ACADEMY Henderson 3.1 mi 7.9
Vance Charter School Henderson 2.9 mi 5.3
E M Rollins Elementary Henderson 3.6 mi 8.5
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson 4.1 mi 5.9
Oxford Preparatory Oxford 4.2 mi 6.9
L B Yancey Elementary Henderson 4.7 mi 5.3
AdVance Academy Henderson 4.6 mi 4.3
STEM Early High Henderson 4.6 mi 6.4
Vance Virtual Village Academy Henderson 4.6 mi 3.9
Henderson Collegiate Henderson 5.0 mi 7.5
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson 5.3 mi 5.3
Pinkston Street Elementary Henderson 5.3 mi 3.8
Zeb Vance Elementary Kittrell 6.0 mi 4.0
Phoenix Academy Oxford 5.9 mi
Granville Academy Oxford 5.9 mi 5.8
Vance County Middle School Henderson 6.2 mi 4.8
Vance County High School Henderson 6.3 mi 5.0
C. G. Credle Elementary Oxford 6.2 mi 6.9
J. F. Webb High Oxford 6.4 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27537 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,345

Median Home Value

$150,800

Median Rent

$915/mo

Population

23,795

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

69%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

41.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dabney Elementary has a median household income of $52,345. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,800, with a median rent of $915/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Devonshire Elementary Charlotte, NC 3.7
Reid Park Academy Charlotte, NC 3.7
Pinkston Street Elementary Henderson, NC 3.8
East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle, NC 3.6
H H Beam Elementary Gastonia, NC 3.6
Knollwood Elementary Salisbury, NC 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dabney Elementary

What grades does Dabney Elementary serve?

Dabney Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Dabney Elementary?

Dabney Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 411 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dabney Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dabney Elementary is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dabney Elementary rank in NC?

Dabney Elementary is ranked #2542 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dabney Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dabney Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Dabney Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dabney Elementary has 22.9% math proficiency and 30.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dabney Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Dabney Elementary a Title I school?

No, Dabney Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

96.1% of students at Dabney 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

City Safety
High (7,613/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Henderson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Vance County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Vance County Schools
District Enrollment
5,368
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,592
District Rank
#15 of 16

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.