Excellent
#188 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Locust Elementary
Elementary School · Stanly County Schools · Locust, NC
A Stanly County Schools elementary school where students score 24 points above what's typical for similar communities.
103 School Rd, Locust, NC 28097
- Math 77% vs NC 59% (2025)
- Reading 66% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Locust Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 15 points since 2020, reaching 72% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 64% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 60% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
96%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Locust Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 28Car-Dependent
- Bike 30Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$77,600
Median home value
$281,200
Median rent
$861/mo
College educated
19.5%
Homeownership
81.7%
Poverty rate
10.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28097; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.3private | 1–12 | 1.5 mi | 174 | Compare → |
| Stanfield ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.0 | K–5 | 2.3 mi | 448 | Compare → |
| Aquadale ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 7.3 | PK–5 | Not available | 354 | Compare → |
| Badin ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 8.6 | K–5 | Not available | 426 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Stanly County Schools
- Schools in district
- 23
- Rank in district
- #3 of 22
- District spending per student
- $10,914NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Locust Elementary is listed in Stanly County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Locust Elementary
Locust Elementary is a public elementary school in Locust, NC, part of Stanly County Schools, serving approximately 526 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #188 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Locust Elementary
What grades does Locust Elementary serve?
Locust Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Locust Elementary?
Locust Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Locust Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Locust Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Locust Elementary rank in NC?
Locust Elementary ranks #188 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Locust Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Locust Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Locust Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Locust Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Locust Elementary a charter school?
No, Locust Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Locust Elementary a Title I school?
No, Locust Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Locust Elementary?
96.0% of students at Locust 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 526
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stanly County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.2%
- Phone
- (704) 961-5500
- Area population (ZIP 28097)
- 7,976
- Area average commute
- 30.7 min
- Area median age
- 37
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28097; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.