Excellent
#91 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Iron Station Elementary
Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools
4207 Hwy 27 E, Iron Station, NC 28080
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Iron Station
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#79 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Iron Station Elementary
Iron Station Elementary is a public elementary school in Iron Station, NC, part of the Lincoln County Schools. The school serves approximately 362 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 96.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 55% in reading/language arts, 3 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $76,054, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Iron Station Elementary — Students at Iron Station Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
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: 9.4/10.
How Iron Station Elementary Compares
See how Iron Station Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 76.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 57.4% (2025).
Location
4207 Hwy 27 E, Iron Station, NC 28080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Iron Station Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Battleground Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Maiden Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Maiden), with a comparable rating. Additionally, S Ray Lowder Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Iron Station, see our Iron Station schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Asbury Academy Lincolnton | 2.7 mi | — |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 4.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 4.4 mi | 5.4 |
| East Lincoln Middle Iron Station | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
| COMBINE ACADEMY Lincolnton | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 5.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Lincolnton High Lincolnton | 5.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton | 5.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton | 6.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Stanley Middle Stanley | 7.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Community Public Charter Stanley | 7.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton | 7.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Kiser Elementary Stanley | 8.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 8.5 mi | 8.1 |
| North Gaston High Dallas | 8.7 mi | 3.7 |
| JUDAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stanley | 8.3 mi | 6.1 |
| W C Friday Middle School Dallas | 8.8 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,054
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Population
8,075
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
87.1%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
45.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Iron Station Elementary has a median household income of $76,054. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $1,135/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin, NC | 8.9 |
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville, NC | 8.9 |
| Harris Elementary School Forest City, NC | 8.9 |
| Micro Elementary Micro, NC | 8.9 |
| New Market Elementary School Sophia, NC | 8.9 |
| Union Elementary Wingate, NC | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Iron Station Elementary
What grades does Iron Station Elementary serve?
Iron Station Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Iron Station Elementary?
Iron Station Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Iron Station Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Iron Station Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Iron Station Elementary rank in NC?
Iron Station Elementary is ranked #91 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Iron Station Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Iron Station 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 Iron Station Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Iron Station Elementary has 67.1% math proficiency and 55.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Iron Station Elementary a charter school?
No, Iron Station Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Iron Station Elementary a Title I school?
No, Iron Station Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Iron Station Elementary?
99.2% of students at Iron Station 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (704) 736-4292
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #2 of 21
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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