Very Good
#566 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
Heritage Elementary School
Elementary School · Onslow County Schools
7444 Richlands Highway, Richlands, NC 28574
Enrollment
532
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
532
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richlands
#2 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#495 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 39
Onslow County Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Heritage Elementary School
Heritage Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Richlands, North Carolina, in Onslow County. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and currently has an enrollment of 532 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 and 37 full-time equivalent teachers, Heritage Elementary provides a supportive learning environment.
Heritage Elementary’s academic performance is solid with room for growth. MySchoolScout rates the school at 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 55th percentile among North Carolina schools overall, and in the 48th percentile for ELA/reading proficiency and 50th percentile for math proficiency across grade levels. While specific neighborhood details are not available, Heritage Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Richlands.
The school fosters a close-knit community where students can thrive both academically and socially within their rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Heritage Elementary School 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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Data not available for this school
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Heritage Elementary School — Students at Heritage Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
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: 9.2/10.
How Heritage Elementary School Compares
See how Heritage Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 57.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 50.9% (2025).
Location
7444 Richlands Highway, Richlands, NC 28574
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heritage Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Comfort Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Comfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carolina Forest Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Richlands Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Richlands, see our Richlands schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Richlands High Richlands | 0.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Trexler Middle Richlands | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Richlands | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Richlands Elementary Richlands | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Stateside Elementary Jacksonville | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville | 5.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 6.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 7.5 mi | — |
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 8.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Comfort Elementary Comfort | 8.4 mi | 9.1 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 7.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 9.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 10.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 10.2 mi | 3.4 |
| CEDAR FORK MENNONITE SCHOOL Beulaville | 8.7 mi | — |
| Carolina Forest Elementary Jacksonville | 9.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 10.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 9.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 10.0 mi | 6.2 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 10.0 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28574 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,555
Median Home Value
$204,500
Median Rent
$1,123/mo
Population
20,631
College Educated
19.6%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
28.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Heritage Elementary School has a median household income of $66,555. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,500, with a median rent of $1,123/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood, NC | 7.8 |
| Ashley Park PreK-8 School Charlotte, NC | 7.8 |
| Belvoir Elementary Greenville, NC | 7.8 |
| Benton Heights Elementary Monroe, NC | 7.8 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden, NC | 7.8 |
| Croft Community School Charlotte, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heritage Elementary School
What grades does Heritage Elementary School serve?
Heritage Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Heritage Elementary School?
Heritage Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 532 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heritage Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Heritage Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Heritage Elementary School rank in NC?
Heritage Elementary School is ranked #566 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Heritage Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Heritage Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Heritage Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heritage Elementary School has 50.0% math proficiency and 47.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Heritage Elementary School a charter school?
No, Heritage Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Heritage Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Heritage Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heritage Elementary School?
55.1% of students at Heritage Elementary School 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. City-level (Richlands). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 532
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Onslow County
- Phone
- (910) 324-3139
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #7 of 39
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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