Excellent
#203 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
Gardners Elementary
Elementary School · Wilson County Schools
5404 NC 42 Hwy E, Elm City, NC 27822
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elm City
#1 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#180 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 25
Wilson County Schools
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Gardners Elementary
Gardners Elementary is a public elementary school in Elm City, NC, part of the Wilson County Schools. The school serves approximately 242 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 92.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 66% proficiency in math, 7 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 6 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $61,189, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Gardners 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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Gardners Elementary — Students at Gardners Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
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: 9.6/10.
How Gardners Elementary Compares
See how Gardners Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 75.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
5404 NC 42 Hwy E, Elm City, NC 27822
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardners Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. B O Barnes Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Wilson), with a very similar rating. Another option is Frederick Douglass Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Wilson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Wells Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Wilson), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Elm City, see our Elm City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elm City Middle Elm City | 6.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Charles H Darden Middle Wilson | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| B O Barnes Elementary Wilson | 6.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Eastern NC School for the Deaf Wilson | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Sallie B Howard School Wilson | 6.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson | 6.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Wilson Early College Academy Wilson | 6.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Vick Elementary Wilson | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson | 7.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary Wilson | 7.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Milton M Daniels Learning Center Wilson | 7.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson | 7.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Speight Middle Stantonsburg | 8.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Wells Elementary Wilson | 7.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilson Preparatory Academy Wilson | 7.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Fike High Wilson | 7.9 mi | 5.4 |
| South Edgecombe Middle Pinetops | 8.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Stantonsburg Elementary Stantonsburg | 10.0 mi | 7.7 |
| G W Bulluck Elementary Rocky Mount | 10.3 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27822 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,189
Median Home Value
$157,800
Median Rent
$854/mo
Population
7,745
College Educated
22.4%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
46.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardners Elementary has a median household income of $61,189. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,800, with a median rent of $854/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Bennett School Bennett, NC | 8.6 |
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte, NC | 8.6 |
| Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC | 8.6 |
| Mountain Park Elementary State Road, NC | 8.6 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton, NC | 8.6 |
| Powell Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardners Elementary
What grades does Gardners Elementary serve?
Gardners Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Gardners Elementary?
Gardners Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 242 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardners Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardners Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardners Elementary rank in NC?
Gardners Elementary is ranked #203 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Gardners Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardners Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Gardners Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardners Elementary has 66.3% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gardners Elementary a charter school?
No, Gardners Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardners Elementary a Title I school?
No, Gardners Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardners Elementary?
98.8% of students at Gardners 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 242
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wilson County
- Phone
- (252) 399-7920
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,260
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,450
- District Rank
- #2 of 25
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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