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#1987 of 2,648 schools in NC

Dudley Shoals Elementary

Elementary School · Caldwell County Schools

1500 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630

Enrollment

432

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,987 of 2,648

In Granite Falls

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#13 of 23

Caldwell County Schools

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Dudley Shoals Elementary

5.0/10

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

Gateway School

5.2/10

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

Oak Hill Charter School

2.8/10

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

About Dudley Shoals Elementary

Dudley Shoals Elementary is a public elementary school in Granite Falls, NC, part of Caldwell County Schools. Dudley Shoals Elementary serves approximately 432 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Dudley Shoals Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,987 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Dudley Shoals Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Dudley Shoals 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.

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-2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,066
Chronic Absenteeism24.3%

Dudley Shoals Elementary — Students at Dudley Shoals Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 50.4% (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
85%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
35%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
33.3%
ELA
40.3%
2025
Math
57.2%
ELA
49.3%

* 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 Dudley Shoals Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
25th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

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

1500 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dudley Shoals Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Granite Falls Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is W M Jenkins Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethlehem Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Taylorsville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Granite Falls, see our Granite Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Gateway School Granite Falls 1.5 mi 5.2
Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir 3.5 mi 2.8
Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls 4.1 mi 7.8
South Caldwell High Hudson 4.1 mi 6.8
Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls 4.6 mi 6.0
West Alexander Middle Taylorsville 4.7 mi 8.4
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 4.7 mi 6.8
Hudson Middle Hudson 4.9 mi 5.2
Hudson Elementary Hudson 5.1 mi 6.7
Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson 5.2 mi 8.2
Caldwell Early College Hudson 5.3 mi 8.0
Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls 5.5 mi 5.3
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson 5.4 mi 4.3
W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory 6.6 mi 6.9
Ray Childers Elementary Hickory 7.6 mi 6.5
Northview Middle Hickory 7.2 mi 5.8
Viewmont Elementary Hickory 7.7 mi 3.6
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory 7.7 mi 5.9
Hickory High Hickory 8.1 mi 4.5
Hibriten High Lenoir 7.5 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,713

Median Home Value

$197,800

Median Rent

$808/mo

Population

20,400

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

46.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC 5.0
Central Elementary Jackson, NC 5.0
Cooper Academy Clayton, NC 5.0
Durant Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 5.0
Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs, NC 5.0
Jacksonville Commons Elem Jacksonville, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dudley Shoals Elementary

What grades does Dudley Shoals Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Dudley Shoals Elementary?

Dudley Shoals Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 432 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dudley Shoals Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dudley Shoals Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dudley Shoals Elementary rank in NC?

Dudley Shoals Elementary ranks #1,987 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dudley Shoals Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dudley Shoals Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Dudley Shoals Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dudley Shoals Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Dudley Shoals Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Dudley Shoals Elementary a Title I school?

No, Dudley Shoals Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.3% of students at Dudley Shoals 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
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Caldwell County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

District

Caldwell County Schools
District Enrollment
10,665
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,066
District Rank
#13 of 23

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