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Very Good

#683 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 26% in state

Hardin Park Elementary

Elementary School · Watauga County Schools

361 Jefferson Road, Boone, NC 28607

Enrollment

859

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#683 of 2,648

In Boone

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 10

Watauga County Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Hardin Park Elementary

7.6/10

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

Watauga Virtual Academy

Nearby

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

Watauga High

8.7/10

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

About Hardin Park Elementary

Hardin Park Elementary is a public elementary school in Boone, NC, part of Watauga County Schools. Hardin Park Elementary serves approximately 859 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Hardin Park Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #683 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Hardin Park Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,003
Chronic Absenteeism16.3%

Hardin Park Elementary — Students at Hardin Park Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 65.8% (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
89%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
69%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
54%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
70.3%
ELA
60.3%
2025
Math
66.3%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Hardin Park Elementary Compares

See how Hardin Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
74th percentile in NC
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

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

361 Jefferson Road, Boone, NC 28607

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hardin Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banner Elk Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blue Ridge Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Warrensville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Blowing Rock Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Blowing Rock), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Boone, see our Boone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Watauga Virtual Academy Boone 0.5 mi
Watauga High Boone 0.7 mi 8.7
Watauga Innovation Academy Boone 0.7 mi 7.8
MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone 1.3 mi
Two Rivers Community School Boone 2.6 mi 6.2
Green Valley Elementary Boone 3.9 mi 6.0
Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock 6.3 mi 8.4
Cove Creek Elementary Vilas 5.4 mi 7.3
Parkway Elementary Boone 5.6 mi 8.2
Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove 6.6 mi 6.6
Mabel Elementary Zionville 8.4 mi 5.4
Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove 11.5 mi 7.4
Westwood Elementary West Jefferson 13.0 mi 7.4
Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk 12.0 mi 9.4
Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir 16.7 mi 4.0
Ashe County High West Jefferson 15.6 mi 5.8
Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson 15.7 mi 5.5
Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City 16.7 mi 5.0
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville 18.0 mi 8.6
Ashe County Middle Warrensville 18.7 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,132

Median Home Value

$339,200

Median Rent

$1,081/mo

Population

35,504

College Educated

53.8%

Homeownership

50%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

34.9%

Median Age

23.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beaverdam Elementary Raleigh, NC 7.6
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland, NC 7.6
Emereau: Bladen Elizabethtown, NC 7.6
G W Carver Elementary Pinetops, NC 7.6
Lake Norman Elementary Mooresville, NC 7.6
Maiden Elementary Maiden, NC 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hardin Park Elementary

What grades does Hardin Park Elementary serve?

Hardin Park Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Hardin Park Elementary?

Hardin Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 859 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hardin Park Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hardin Park Elementary is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hardin Park Elementary rank in NC?

Hardin Park Elementary ranks #683 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Hardin Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hardin Park Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Hardin Park Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hardin Park Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hardin Park Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hardin Park Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hardin Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hardin Park Elementary?

41.3% of students at Hardin Park 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
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
859
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Watauga County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

District

Watauga County Schools
District Enrollment
4,746
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,003
District Rank
#5 of 10

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