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Needs Improvement

#2576 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

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,576 of 2,648

In Henderson

#15 of 17

public schools

In district

#14 of 16

Vance County Schools

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Dabney Elementary

3.0/10

Elementary School in Henderson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vance Co Early College

8.3/10

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

Kerr-vance Academy

7.9/10

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

About Dabney Elementary

Dabney Elementary is a public elementary school in Henderson, NC, part of Vance County Schools. Dabney Elementary serves approximately 411 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dabney Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,576 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Dabney Elementary show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Dabney 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 Dabney 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 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-41 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-19.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,592
Chronic Absenteeism31.4%

Dabney Elementary — Students at Dabney Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 37.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 33.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
76%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
28.8%
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: 2.7/10.

How Dabney Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in NC
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

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

150 Lanning Road, Henderson, NC 27537

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dabney Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. L B Yancey Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is C. G. Credle Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Oxford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, E M Rollins Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 3.6 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 8.3
KERR-VANCE ACADEMY Henderson 3.1 mi 7.9
Vance Charter School Henderson 2.9 mi 7.2
E M Rollins Elementary Henderson 3.6 mi 5.4
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson 4.1 mi 5.9
Oxford Preparatory Oxford 4.2 mi 7.8
L B Yancey Elementary Henderson 4.7 mi 6.1
AdVance Academy Henderson 4.6 mi 5.2
STEM Early High Henderson 4.6 mi 9.3
Vance Virtual Village Academy Henderson 4.6 mi 5.0
Henderson Collegiate Henderson 5.0 mi 7.7
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson 5.3 mi 5.3
Pinkston Street Elementary Henderson 5.3 mi 4.7
Zeb Vance Elementary Kittrell 6.0 mi 3.1
Phoenix Academy Oxford 5.9 mi
Granville Academy Oxford 5.9 mi 8.1
Vance County Middle School Henderson 6.2 mi 2.7
Vance County High School Henderson 6.3 mi 4.4
C. G. Credle Elementary Oxford 6.2 mi 6.0
J. F. Webb High Oxford 6.4 mi 3.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dilworth Elem Sedgefield Campus Charlotte, NC 3.0
Grove Park Elementary Burlington, NC 3.0
Hillcrest Elementary Burlington, NC 3.0
Knollwood Elementary Salisbury, NC 3.0
Valmead Elementary Lenoir, NC 3.0
Clarke Elementary Henderson, NC 2.9

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 ranks #2,576 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dabney Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dabney Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Dabney Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dabney Elementary has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

District

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

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