Excellent
#96 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 4% in state
Gouge Elementary
Elementary School · Mitchell County Schools
134 Laurel Street, Bakersville, NC 28705
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersville
#1 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#84 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 7
Mitchell County Schools
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Gouge Elementary
Gouge Elementary is a public elementary school in Bakersville, NC, part of the Mitchell County Schools. The school serves approximately 221 students in grades Kindergarten – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 96.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in math and 42% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (10.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $54,350, 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, Gouge 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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Gouge Elementary — Students at Gouge Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 10.0/10.
How Gouge Elementary Compares
See how Gouge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
134 Laurel Street, Bakersville, NC 28705
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gouge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greenlee Primary (rated 8.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), with a comparable rating. Another option is Burnsville Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Burnsville), a more accessible option. Additionally, South Toe Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Burnsville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bakersville, see our Bakersville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine | 8.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 8.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Micaville Elementary Micaville | 8.3 mi | 3.1 |
| SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 8.2 mi | 5.7 |
| TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 8.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Riverside Elementary Newland | 7.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Burnsville Elementary Burnsville | 9.0 mi | 6.4 |
| East Yancey Middle Burnsville | 9.2 mi | 5.5 |
| GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville | 9.4 mi | — |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine | 9.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 10.5 mi | 8.0 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 9.7 mi | 6.9 |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 12.1 mi | 6.0 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 13.4 mi | — |
| Cloudland High School Roan Mountain | 13.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain | 13.5 mi | 4.5 |
| YANCEY COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 12.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Mountain Heritage High Burnsville | 12.5 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,350
Median Home Value
$202,200
Median Rent
$855/mo
Population
6,733
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
80.1%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
49.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gouge Elementary has a median household income of $54,350. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,200, with a median rent of $855/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Jamesville Elementary Jamesville, NC | 8.9 |
| Union Elementary Wingate, NC | 8.9 |
| B O Barnes Elementary Wilson, NC | 8.8 |
| Bell Elementary Asheville, NC | 9.0 |
| Kirkman Park Elementary High Point, NC | 8.8 |
| Laurel Mill Elementary Louisburg, NC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gouge Elementary
What grades does Gouge Elementary serve?
Gouge Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Gouge Elementary?
Gouge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 221 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gouge Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Gouge Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gouge Elementary rank in NC?
Gouge Elementary is ranked #96 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Gouge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gouge Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Gouge Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gouge Elementary has 39.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gouge Elementary a charter school?
No, Gouge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gouge Elementary a Title I school?
No, Gouge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gouge Elementary?
98.6% of students at Gouge 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. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 221
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mitchell County
- Phone
- (828) 766-2260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mitchell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,705
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,405
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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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