Below Average
#2287 of 2,648 schools in NC
Dole Elementary
Elementary School · Rowan-Salisbury Schools
465 Choate Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salisbury
#6 of 14
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,381 of 1,474
In district
#18 of 32
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Dole Elementary
Dole Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Salisbury, North Carolina, in the rural Rowan County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 396 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. There are 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Dole Elementary’s academic performance is currently focusing on areas for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and state ranking at number 2515 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina. The school's recent test scores show that 21% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 18% meet proficiency standards in Math. While the academic performance numbers suggest areas for growth, Dole Elementary continues to work hard to ensure its students receive a solid educational foundation.
The school is situated in a rural area near Salisbury, offering a close-knit community setting where teachers and families can closely collaborate to support student development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dole 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dole Elementary — Students at Dole Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Dole Elementary Compares
See how Dole Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 21.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 20.8% (2025).
Location
465 Choate Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dole Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Isenberg Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SALISBURY ACADEMY (rated 5.2/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salisbury, see our Salisbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Rowan High Spencer | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| North Rowan Elementary Spencer | 2.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Henderson High Salisbury | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| North Rowan Middle Spencer | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury | 2.8 mi | — |
| ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury | 2.6 mi | — |
| Overton Elementary Salisbury | 3.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury | 3.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury | 3.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Erwin Middle Salisbury | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| East Rowan High Salisbury | 5.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Koontz Elementary Salisbury | 5.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury | 4.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Faith Academy Charter School Faith | 5.9 mi | 5.7 |
| SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury | 5.1 mi | 5.2 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury | 6.3 mi | 3.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28146 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,053
Median Home Value
$227,600
Median Rent
$888/mo
Population
31,757
College Educated
23.8%
Homeownership
82%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
42.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dole Elementary has a median household income of $67,053. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,600, with a median rent of $888/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Dillard Academy Goldsboro, NC | 4.6 |
| Fox Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 4.6 |
| Harvey R Newlin Elementary Burlington, NC | 4.6 |
| R Brown McAllister Elementary Concord, NC | 4.6 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City, NC | 4.6 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia, NC | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dole Elementary
What grades does Dole Elementary serve?
Dole Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dole Elementary?
Dole Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dole Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dole Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dole Elementary rank in NC?
Dole Elementary is ranked #2287 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Dole Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dole Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Dole Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dole Elementary has 18.5% math proficiency and 20.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dole Elementary a charter school?
No, Dole Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dole Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dole Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dole Elementary?
93.2% of students at Dole 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
- City Safety
- High (4,950/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salisbury). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rowan County
- Phone
- (704) 639-3046
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rowan-Salisbury Schools- District Enrollment
- 18,110
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,141
- District Rank
- #18 of 32
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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