Average
#1335 of 2,648 schools in NC
Lowell Elementary
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
1500 Power Drive, Lowell, NC 28098
Enrollment
373
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
373
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,335 of 2,648
In Lowell
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#23 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Equity
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Lowell Elementary
Elementary School in Lowell · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holbrook Middle
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gaston Christian School
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lowell Elementary
Lowell Elementary is a public elementary school in Lowell, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Lowell Elementary serves approximately 373 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Lowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,335 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Lowell Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Lowell Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
32% of students at Lowell 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lowell Elementary — Students at Lowell Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.6/10.
How Lowell Elementary Compares
See how Lowell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1500 Power Drive, Lowell, NC 28098
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lowell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Belmont Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is McAdenville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Mcadenville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ida Rankin Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Holly), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lowell, see our Lowell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| McAdenville Elementary Mcadenville | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| North Belmont Elementary Belmont | 2.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Stuart W Cramer High Belmont | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Belmont Central Elementary Belmont | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Cramerton Middle Cramerton | 3.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.6 mi | 3.6 |
| New Hope Elementary Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 7.2 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 4.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Springfield Primary Stanley | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 4.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28098 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,879
Median Home Value
$153,300
Median Rent
$1,152/mo
Population
3,746
College Educated
17.3%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
19%
Median Age
41.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brevard Academy Pisgah Forest, NC | 6.3 |
| Charles W McCrary Elementary Asheboro, NC | 6.3 |
| Claxton Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.3 |
| Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 6.3 |
| Cyrus P Frazier Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.3 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lowell Elementary
What grades does Lowell Elementary serve?
Lowell Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Lowell Elementary?
Lowell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 373 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lowell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Lowell 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 Lowell Elementary rank in NC?
Lowell Elementary ranks #1,335 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Lowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Lowell Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lowell Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Lowell Elementary a charter school?
No, Lowell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lowell Elementary a Title I school?
No, Lowell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lowell Elementary?
99.2% of students at Lowell 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 373
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Gaston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (704) 836-9118
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #23 of 56
How we rate schools
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