Very Good
#477 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 18% in state
Dudley Shoals Elementary
Elementary School · Caldwell County Schools
1500 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Granite Falls
#1 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#425 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 23
Caldwell County Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dudley Shoals Elementary
Dudley Shoals Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural outskirts of Granite Falls, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 432 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, Dudley Shoals provides a supportive learning environment with 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the education of its young learners.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Dudley Shoals Elementary scores a 5.8 out of 10 overall and ranks in the 54th percentile among North Carolina schools, placing it at number 1226 out of 2661 total schools. The academic performance data shows that 46% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 50% meet proficiency standards in math. Dudley Shoals Elementary is situated near a small town setting, offering its students a close-knit community feel with plenty of outdoor space for learning and exploration.
The school focuses on student development and growth, ensuring that each child receives the attention they need to thrive academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dudley Shoals 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
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Dudley Shoals Elementary — Students at Dudley Shoals Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Dudley Shoals Elementary Compares
See how Dudley Shoals Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 56.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 49% (2025).
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. Ray Childers Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores slightly higher. Another option is W M Jenkins Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Hickory), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Granite Falls Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.6 |
| Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
| South Caldwell High Hudson | 4.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| West Alexander Middle Taylorsville | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville | 4.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Hudson Middle Hudson | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Hudson Elementary Hudson | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson | 5.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson | 5.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson | 5.4 mi | 4.3 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 6.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Ray Childers Elementary Hickory | 7.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 7.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 7.7 mi | 4.2 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 8.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Hibriten High Lenoir | 7.5 mi | 4.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dudley Shoals Elementary has a median household income of $65,713. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,800, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC | 7.9 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
| Douglas Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #477 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Dudley Shoals Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dudley Shoals Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Dudley Shoals Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dudley Shoals Elementary has 49.6% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Granite Falls). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 396-3457
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caldwell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,665
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,066
- District Rank
- #1 of 23
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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