Very Good
#1007 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 38% in state
J S Waters School
Elementary School · Chatham County Schools
55 J S Waters School Road, Goldston, NC 27252
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#801 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 19
Chatham County Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About J S Waters School
J S Waters School is a regular public elementary school in Goldston, North Carolina, located in the rural Chatham County. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, J S Waters School has an enrollment of 208 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it in the 57th percentile among North Carolina schools.
In terms of academic performance, J S Waters School has a state ranking of #1140 out of 2661 schools and an Academic Score of 6.2/10. Students demonstrate proficiency rates of 51% in ELA/Reading and 57% in Math across all grade levels. J S Waters School is situated in a rural setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere.
The school focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment for learning.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, J S Waters 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
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J S Waters School — Students at J S Waters School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 6.2/10.
How J S Waters School Compares
See how J S Waters School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 54.2% (2025).
Location
55 J S Waters School Road, Goldston, NC 27252
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J S Waters School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tramway Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Sanford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pittsboro Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Pittsboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deep River Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Sanford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Goldston, see our Goldston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chatham Central High Bear Creek | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Chatham County Schools Virtual Academy Bear Creek | 3.8 mi | — |
| Bonlee School Bonlee | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Virginia Cross Elementary Siler City | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Chatham Middle Siler City | 10.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 10.2 mi | — |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 10.2 mi | 6.7 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 11.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Jordan Matthews High Siler City | 11.0 mi | 4.8 |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 11.3 mi | 7.4 |
| HAW RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pittsboro | 12.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Deep River Elementary Sanford | 10.0 mi | 8.1 |
| George M. Horton Middle Pittsboro | 11.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Pittsboro Elementary Pittsboro | 11.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Silk Hope School Siler City | 12.6 mi | 7.1 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 11.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ONE Academy Siler City | 11.6 mi | — |
| Chatham Early College Siler City | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 12.6 mi | 9.1 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 12.0 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27252 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,934
Median Home Value
$168,100
Median Rent
$900/mo
Population
1,066
College Educated
7.3%
Homeownership
88.8%
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
50.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding J S Waters School has a median household income of $37,934. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,100, with a median rent of $900/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Burlington, NC | 7.0 |
| Gillespie Park Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.0 |
| Weaverville Primary Weaverville, NC | 7.0 |
| Ahoskie Elementary Ahoskie, NC | 7.1 |
| Alma O Easom Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.9 |
| Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville, NC | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J S Waters School
What grades does J S Waters School serve?
J S Waters School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend J S Waters School?
J S Waters School has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J S Waters School?
The student-teacher ratio at J S Waters School 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 J S Waters School rank in NC?
J S Waters School is ranked #1007 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is J S Waters School's MySchoolScout rating?
J S Waters School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 J S Waters School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J S Waters School has 57.2% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J S Waters School a charter school?
No, J S Waters School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J S Waters School a Title I school?
No, J S Waters School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J S Waters School?
63.9% of students at J S Waters 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 208
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Chatham County
- Phone
- (919) 898-2259
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chatham County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,023
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,128
- District Rank
- #12 of 19
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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