Very Good
#952 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 36% 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
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#952 of 2,648
In Elm City
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#9 of 25
Wilson County Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Gardners Elementary
Elementary School in Elm City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Elm City Middle
6.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Charles H Darden Middle
6.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardners Elementary
Gardners Elementary is a public elementary school in Elm City, NC, part of Wilson County Schools. Gardners Elementary serves approximately 242 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardners Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #952 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Gardners Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Gardners 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardners Elementary — Students at Gardners Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.7/10.
How Gardners Elementary Compares
See how Gardners Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Frederick Douglass Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Wilson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Stantonsburg Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Stantonsburg), with a very similar rating. Additionally, B O Barnes Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Wilson), with a very similar 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 | 7.2 |
| Charles H Darden Middle Wilson | 6.1 mi | 3.7 |
| B O Barnes Elementary Wilson | 6.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Eastern NC School for the Deaf Wilson | 6.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Sallie B Howard School Wilson | 6.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson | 6.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Wilson Early College Academy Wilson | 6.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Vick Elementary Wilson | 6.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary Wilson | 7.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Milton M Daniels Learning Center Wilson | 7.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson | 7.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Speight Middle Stantonsburg | 8.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Wells Elementary Wilson | 7.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Wilson Preparatory Academy Wilson | 7.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Fike High Wilson | 7.9 mi | 4.5 |
| South Edgecombe Middle Pinetops | 8.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Stantonsburg Elementary Stantonsburg | 10.0 mi | 7.0 |
| G W Bulluck Elementary Rocky Mount | 10.3 mi | 4.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atkinson Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.1 |
| Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville, NC | 7.1 |
| Oak Lane Elementary Hurdle Mills, NC | 7.1 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton, NC | 7.1 |
| Ronda-Clingman Elementary School Ronda, NC | 7.1 |
| Sandy Ridge Elementary School Sandy Ridge, NC | 7.1 |
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 ranks #952 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Gardners Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardners Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Gardners Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardners Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
- Walk Score
- 3 Car-Dependent
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.9%
- Phone
- (252) 399-7920
Resources & Links
District
Wilson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,260
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,450
- District Rank
- #9 of 25
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