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Very Good

#672 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 25% in state

Etowah Elementary

Elementary School · Henderson County Schools

320 Etowah School Road, Etowah, NC 28729

Enrollment

300

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina elementary schools

#573 of 1,474

In district

#3 of 23

Henderson County Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Etowah Elementary

Etowah Elementary serves 300 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the scenic mountain community of Etowah, North Carolina. This well-regarded public school maintains a favorable 15:1 student-teacher ratio with 20 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #325 out of 2,661 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile.

Students show particularly solid achievement in mathematics, with 76% scoring proficient or above, while 66% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Etowah Elementary draws families from a stable, middle-class community where the median household income reaches $89,773 and home values average $300,800. The surrounding area shows educational commitment, with 35% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.5%.

These demographic factors contribute to a supportive learning environment where families are typically well-positioned to engage in their children's education. The school sits in Henderson County's rural landscape near the charming town of Etowah, offering students the benefits of small-town community values while maintaining access to quality educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Etowah 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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66%
Math vs. State Avg+12 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,469

Etowah Elementary — Students at Etowah Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.1%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 63.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
60%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
75.6%
ELA
66.2%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Etowah Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
75th percentile in NC
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

320 Etowah School Road, Etowah, NC 28729

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Etowah Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bruce Drysdale Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brevard Academy (rated 7.1/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Pisgah Forest), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Etowah, see our Etowah schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
WILD OAK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Hendersonville 3.7 mi
Mills River Elementary Mills River 4.4 mi 6.6
ANCHOR BAPTIST ACADEMY Pisgah Forest 4.5 mi
Rugby Middle Hendersonville 5.1 mi 6.4
MILLS RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Mills River 6.0 mi 5.5
THE OUTDOOR ACADEMY Pisgah Forest 5.6 mi
West Henderson High Hendersonville 5.4 mi 5.7
Atkinson Elementary Hendersonville 5.8 mi 5.3
Glenn C Marlow Elementary Mills River 6.7 mi 7.0
Brevard Academy Pisgah Forest 6.3 mi 7.1
Hendersonville Elementary Hendersonville 6.4 mi 6.6
Hendersonville Middle Hendersonville 6.5 mi 7.4
STONEY MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville 6.8 mi
MONTESSORI COUNTRY DAY Hendersonville 6.7 mi
ST GERARD HOUSE (GROTTO 2) Hendersonville 6.9 mi
FAITH-COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville 7.0 mi
IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hendersonville 7.0 mi 8.0
Hendersonville High Hendersonville 7.0 mi 5.1
Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville 7.2 mi 8.0
CAPTAIN GILMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fletcher 7.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28729 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,326

Median Home Value

$305,600

Median Rent

$1,654/mo

Population

3,386

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

83.6%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

48.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Etowah Elementary has a median household income of $81,326. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $305,600, with a median rent of $1,654/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. 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
Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington, NC 7.6
Buckland Elementary Gates, NC 7.6
Bugg Elementary Raleigh, NC 7.6
Dublin Primary Dublin, NC 7.6
James W Smith Elementary Cove City, NC 7.6
Lilesville Elementary Lilesville, NC 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Etowah Elementary

What grades does Etowah Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Etowah Elementary?

Etowah Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 300 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Etowah Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Etowah Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Etowah Elementary rank in NC?

Etowah Elementary is ranked #672 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Etowah Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Etowah Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Etowah Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Etowah Elementary has 69.1% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Etowah Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Etowah Elementary a Title I school?

No, Etowah Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.0% of students at Etowah 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (689/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Henderson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Henderson County Schools
District Enrollment
12,660
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,579
District Rank
#3 of 23

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 methodology

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