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Average

#1180 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 45% in state

Lower Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Caldwell County Schools

630 Lower Creek Drive NE, Lenoir, NC 28645

Enrollment

383

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lenoir

#3 of 12

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#903 of 1,474

In district

#8 of 23

Caldwell County Schools

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Lower Creek Elementary

Lower Creek Elementary is a regular public school nestled in Lenoir, North Carolina, serving Caldwell County. The school accommodates students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 383 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. Lower Creek Elementary has 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.

The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.0 out of 10, placing it in the 57th percentile among North Carolina schools. In terms of academic performance, students achieve an average of 56% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 58% in Math. These figures indicate areas for growth but also highlight the school’s commitment to student development.

Lower Creek Elementary is situated in a small city setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and staff work closely with parents to support each child's educational journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.5%
Math vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,644

Lower Creek Elementary — Students at Lower Creek Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 57.5%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
61.5%
ELA
58.5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Lower Creek Elementary Compares

See how Lower Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in NC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

630 Lower Creek Drive NE, Lenoir, NC 28645

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lower Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Baton Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Davenport A+ School (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hudson Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Hudson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lenoir, see our Lenoir schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
William Lenoir Middle Lenoir 0.9 mi 6.0
Hibriten High Lenoir 1.0 mi 4.0
Horizons Elementary Lenoir 1.4 mi
Davenport A+ School Lenoir 1.7 mi 7.5
Valmead Elementary Lenoir 1.9 mi 5.9
Whitnel Elementary Lenoir 2.3 mi 7.2
Caldwell Early College Hudson 4.7 mi 5.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson 4.7 mi 4.3
Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson 4.9 mi 6.1
Hudson Elementary Hudson 5.3 mi 7.4
Hudson Middle Hudson 5.5 mi 5.8
Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir 5.7 mi 5.8
West Caldwell High Lenoir 5.1 mi 3.8
Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir 5.5 mi 5.2
Gamewell Middle Lenoir 6.0 mi 4.7
Gamewell Elementary Lenoir 6.1 mi 5.3
Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls 7.4 mi 5.6
Baton Elementary Granite Falls 8.0 mi 7.7
South Caldwell High Hudson 7.8 mi 5.0
Kings Creek Elementary Lenoir 7.8 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28645 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,529

Median Home Value

$157,800

Median Rent

$726/mo

Population

46,237

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lower Creek Elementary has a median household income of $50,529. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,800, with a median rent of $726/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
BT Bullock Elementary Sanford, NC 6.7
Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 6.7
Bethany Elementary Reidsville, NC 6.7
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville, NC 6.7
Copeland Elementary Dobson, NC 6.7
J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford, NC 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lower Creek Elementary

What grades does Lower Creek Elementary serve?

Lower Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lower Creek Elementary?

Lower Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 383 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lower Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Lower Creek Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lower Creek Elementary rank in NC?

Lower Creek Elementary is ranked #1180 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lower Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Lower Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Lower Creek Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lower Creek Elementary has 57.5% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lower Creek Elementary a charter school?

No, Lower Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lower Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Lower Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lower Creek Elementary?

99.2% of students at Lower Creek 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

City Safety
High (3,522/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lenoir). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
383
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Caldwell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Caldwell County Schools
District Enrollment
10,665
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,066
District Rank
#8 of 23

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 methodology

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