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Needs Improvement

#2617 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

2.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,617 of 2,648

In Salisbury

#9 of 14

public schools

In district

#27 of 32

Rowan-Salisbury Schools

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Dole Elementary

2.6/10

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

North Rowan High

4.1/10

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

North Rowan Elementary

2.9/10

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

About Dole Elementary

Dole Elementary is a public elementary school in Salisbury, NC, part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Dole Elementary serves approximately 396 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Dole Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,617 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Dole Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Dole 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.

44% of students at Dole 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 Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-42.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-27.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,141
Chronic Absenteeism43.7%

Dole Elementary — Students at Dole Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 26.7% (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
73%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
23%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
21%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
21.7%
ELA
21.5%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Dole Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.6/10
1th percentile in NC
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.7%

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

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 Summit Virtual Academy (rated 6.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Isenberg Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably 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 4.1
North Rowan Elementary Spencer 2.2 mi 2.9
Henderson High Salisbury 1.8 mi 5.2
North Rowan Middle Spencer 2.3 mi 3.1
SALISBURY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Salisbury 2.8 mi
ST JOHNS KINDERGARTEN Salisbury 2.6 mi
Overton Elementary Salisbury 3.1 mi 2.2
Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury 3.2 mi 6.3
Salisbury High Salisbury 3.3 mi 2.6
Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry 4.3 mi 4.0
Rowan Co Early College Salisbury 3.8 mi 8.0
NORTH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury 3.9 mi 7.6
Erwin Middle Salisbury 5.1 mi 3.5
East Rowan High Salisbury 5.3 mi 5.6
Koontz Elementary Salisbury 5.0 mi 2.0
Isenberg Elementary Salisbury 4.9 mi 5.3
Faith Academy Charter School Faith 5.9 mi 5.8
SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury 5.1 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salisbury 5.4 mi 7.5
Southeast Middle Salisbury 6.3 mi 2.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Southwest Primary Hickory, NC 2.6
Williford Elementary Rocky Mount, NC 2.6
Mariam Boyd Elementary Warrenton, NC 2.7
North Graham Elementary Graham, NC 2.5
R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington, NC 2.5
North Hills Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 2.8

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 ranks #2,617 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dole Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dole Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Dole Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dole Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.7%

District

Rowan-Salisbury Schools
District Enrollment
18,110
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,141
District Rank
#27 of 32

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