Excellent
#335 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Lowell Elementary
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
1500 Power Drive, Lowell, NC 28098
Enrollment
373
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
373
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lowell
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#303 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Lowell Elementary
Lowell Elementary is a public elementary school in Lowell, NC, part of the Gaston County Schools. The school serves approximately 373 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 54% proficiency in math, 6 points below the state average and 45% in reading/language arts, 8 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $51,879, where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Lowell Elementary 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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Lowell Elementary — Students at Lowell Elementary score 55% 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: 9.1/10.
How Lowell Elementary Compares
See how Lowell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 61% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 48.6% (2025).
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 9.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McAdenville Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Mcadenville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Catawba Heights Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Belmont), with a very similar rating. 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 | 3.7 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| McAdenville Elementary Mcadenville | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly | 2.7 mi | 3.7 |
| North Belmont Elementary Belmont | 2.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Stuart W Cramer High Belmont | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont | 3.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Belmont Central Elementary Belmont | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Cramerton Middle Cramerton | 3.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| New Hope Elementary Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 4.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly | 4.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Springfield Primary Stanley | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lowell Elementary has a median household income of $51,879. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas, NC | 8.2 |
| Creekside Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.2 |
| DUKE SCHOOL Durham, NC | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #335 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Lowell Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Lowell Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lowell Elementary has 53.7% math proficiency and 44.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lowell). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 836-9118
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #4 of 56
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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