Very Good
#948 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 36% in state
Fallston Elementary
Elementary School · Cleveland County Schools
PO Box 39, Fallston, NC 28042
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#767 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Fallston Elementary
Fallston Elementary is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Fallston, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 487 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Fallston Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it around the 52nd percentile among North Carolina schools.
Academically, 48% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 55% achieve proficiency or better in math. Though there's room for academic growth, Fallston Elementary focuses on nurturing student development through a dedicated teaching staff. Located in the heart of a rural setting, Fallston Elementary is part of the close-knit community of Cleveland County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fallston 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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Fallston Elementary — Students at Fallston Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 6.8/10.
How Fallston Elementary Compares
See how Fallston Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 59.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 50% (2025).
Location
PO Box 39, Fallston, NC 28042
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fallston Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Casar Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Casar), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fallston, see our Fallston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Burns Middle Lawndale | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| North Brook Elementary Vale | 5.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 7.7 mi | 5.2 |
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton | 7.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 7.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 8.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherryville High Cherryville | 7.2 mi | 4.8 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 7.4 mi | 6.3 |
| W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville | 7.6 mi | 7.4 |
| John Chavis Middle School Cherryville | 8.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Cherryville Elementary Cherryville | 7.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 9.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 9.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Casar Elementary Casar | 8.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 10.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 10.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 10.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 9.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Home Value
$91,300
Median Rent
$728/mo
Population
306
College Educated
3%
Homeownership
45.7%
Poverty Rate
57.8%
Median Age
32.6
Community Profile
It is a community where 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,300, with a median rent of $728/month. The area has a poverty rate of 57.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa, NC | 7.1 |
| Brevard Academy Pisgah Forest, NC | 7.1 |
| Camden Intermediate Camden, NC | 7.1 |
| Catawba Springs Elementary Denver, NC | 7.1 |
| Clara J Peck Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.1 |
| Franklin Elementary Mount Airy, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fallston Elementary
What grades does Fallston Elementary serve?
Fallston Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Fallston Elementary?
Fallston Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fallston Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Fallston Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fallston Elementary rank in NC?
Fallston Elementary is ranked #948 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Fallston Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Fallston Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Fallston Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fallston Elementary has 54.6% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fallston Elementary a charter school?
No, Fallston Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fallston Elementary a Title I school?
No, Fallston Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fallston Elementary?
99.4% of students at Fallston 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
- County Safety
- Average (637/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 487
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cleveland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,458
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,540
- District Rank
- #12 of 28
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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