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Below Average

#2057 of 2,648 schools in NC

J C Sawyer Elementary

Elementary School · Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools

1007 Park St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Enrollment

372

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,057 of 2,648

In Elizabeth City

#10 of 14

public schools

In district

#9 of 13

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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J C Sawyer Elementary

4.9/10

Elementary School in Elizabeth City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

H L Trigg Community

2.7/10

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

Pasquotank Elementary

3.3/10

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

About J C Sawyer Elementary

J C Sawyer Elementary is a public elementary school in Elizabeth City, NC, part of Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. J C Sawyer Elementary serves approximately 372 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. J C Sawyer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,057 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for J C Sawyer Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at J C Sawyer Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-7.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,931
Chronic Absenteeism33.1%

J C Sawyer Elementary — Students at J C Sawyer Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
82%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
26.3%
2025
Math
56.1%
ELA
43.9%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How J C Sawyer Elementary Compares

See how J C Sawyer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
22th percentile in NC
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
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
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

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

1007 Park St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J C Sawyer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Grandy Primary (rated 9.0/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. Another option is Weeksville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sheep-Harney Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elizabeth City, see our Elizabeth City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
H L Trigg Community Elizabeth City 0.2 mi 2.7
Pasquotank Elementary Elizabeth City 0.8 mi 3.3
P W Moore Elementary Elizabeth City 1.0 mi 4.8
River Road Middle Elizabeth City 1.2 mi 5.1
Sheep-Harney Elementary Elizabeth City 1.2 mi 7.5
Northeast Academy of Aerospace & AdvTech Elizabeth City 1.7 mi 7.4
TUTOR ALL SCHOOL Elizabeth City 1.9 mi
Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College Elizabeth City 2.5 mi 6.2
Northeastern High Elizabeth City 2.4 mi 5.3
Camden Intermediate Camden 3.3 mi 6.7
Central Elementary Elizabeth City 2.9 mi 5.7
Grandy Primary Camden 3.4 mi 9.0
Camden Early College High Camden 3.4 mi 7.2
Camden County High Camden 3.4 mi 6.2
ALBEMARLE SCHOOL Elizabeth City 4.1 mi 5.6
NEW LIFE ACADEMY Elizabeth City 4.9 mi 5.6
Camden Middle Camden 5.4 mi 7.4
GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY INCORPORATED Elizabeth City 5.0 mi 3.7
Weeksville Elementary Elizabeth City 6.3 mi 7.7
Northside Elementary Elizabeth City 6.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27909 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,039

Median Home Value

$223,400

Median Rent

$1,146/mo

Population

40,878

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

65.1%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Childers Elementary Lincolnton, NC 4.9
E J Hayes Elementary Williamston, NC 4.9
Emma Elementary Asheville, NC 4.9
Everetts Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC 4.9
Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough, NC 4.9
Loyd E Auman Elementary Fayetteville, NC 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J C Sawyer Elementary

What grades does J C Sawyer Elementary serve?

J C Sawyer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend J C Sawyer Elementary?

J C Sawyer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 372 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J C Sawyer Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at J C Sawyer Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does J C Sawyer Elementary rank in NC?

J C Sawyer Elementary ranks #2,057 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is J C Sawyer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

J C Sawyer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 J C Sawyer Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J C Sawyer Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is J C Sawyer Elementary a charter school?

No, J C Sawyer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is J C Sawyer Elementary a Title I school?

No, J C Sawyer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J C Sawyer Elementary?

99.2% of students at J C Sawyer 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Pasquotank County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

District

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,719
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,931
District Rank
#9 of 13

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