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Below Average

#2356 of 2,648 schools in NC

Happy Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Caldwell County Schools

1350 Yadkin River Road, Lenoir, NC 28645

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,356 of 2,648

In Lenoir

#8 of 12

public schools

In district

#20 of 23

Caldwell County Schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Happy Valley Elementary

4.0/10

Elementary School in Lenoir · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valmead Elementary

3.0/10

4.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Horizons Elementary

Nearby

4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Happy Valley Elementary

Happy Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Lenoir, NC, part of Caldwell County Schools. Happy Valley Elementary serves approximately 223 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Happy Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,356 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Happy Valley Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Happy Valley 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 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,066
Chronic Absenteeism27.4%

Happy Valley Elementary — Students at Happy Valley Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
97%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
39.4%
ELA
45.3%
2025
Math
40.7%
ELA
45.2%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Happy Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
11th percentile in NC
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1350 Yadkin River Road, Lenoir, NC 28645

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Happy Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blowing Rock Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Blowing Rock), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lower Creek Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hudson Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Hudson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lenoir, see our Lenoir schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Valmead Elementary Lenoir 4.2 mi 3.0
Horizons Elementary Lenoir 4.9 mi
Davenport A+ School Lenoir 5.9 mi 4.6
Lower Creek Elementary Lenoir 5.7 mi 6.9
William Lenoir Middle Lenoir 6.1 mi 4.9
Hibriten High Lenoir 6.1 mi 4.5
Whitnel Elementary Lenoir 7.6 mi 5.9
West Caldwell High Lenoir 7.7 mi 3.7
Gamewell Middle Lenoir 8.8 mi 4.4
Collettsville School Collettsville 7.9 mi 4.7
Gamewell Elementary Lenoir 9.0 mi 3.7
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson 10.4 mi 4.3
Caldwell Early College Hudson 10.4 mi 8.0
Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson 10.5 mi 8.2
Kings Creek Elementary Lenoir 8.9 mi 4.1
Hudson Elementary Hudson 11.0 mi 6.7
Hudson Middle Hudson 11.1 mi 5.2
Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir 10.3 mi 2.8
Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock 11.5 mi 8.4
Baton Elementary Granite Falls 13.0 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28645 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,529

Median Home Value

$157,800

Median Rent

$726/mo

Population

46,237

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

46.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Germanton Elementary School Germanton, NC 4.0
MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville, NC 4.0
Sylvan Elementary Snow Camp, NC 4.0
Washington Elementary Greensboro, NC 4.0
Graham A Barden Elementary Havelock, NC 4.1
Kings Creek Elementary Lenoir, NC 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Happy Valley Elementary

What grades does Happy Valley Elementary serve?

Happy Valley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Happy Valley Elementary?

Happy Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Happy Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Happy Valley Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Happy Valley Elementary rank in NC?

Happy Valley Elementary ranks #2,356 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Happy Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Happy Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Happy Valley Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Happy Valley Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Happy Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Happy Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Happy Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

98.7% of students at Happy Valley 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Caldwell County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.4%

District

Caldwell County Schools
District Enrollment
10,665
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,066
District Rank
#20 of 23

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