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Excellent

#268 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 10% in state

Mabel Elementary

Elementary School · Watauga County Schools

404 Mabel School Road, Zionville, NC 28698

Enrollment

146

Student-Teacher

7.7:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina elementary schools

#240 of 1,474

In district

#2 of 10

Watauga County Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Mabel Elementary

Mabel Elementary is a public elementary school in Zionville, NC, part of the Watauga County Schools. The school serves approximately 146 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 89.9th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 0 points below the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 7 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $56,506, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 146 students, Mabel Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Mabel Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Mabel 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1%
Math vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,698

Mabel Elementary — Students at Mabel Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.4%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 45.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 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
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
64.1%
ELA
47.3%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Mabel Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

404 Mabel School Road, Zionville, NC 28698

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mabel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banner Elk Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valle Crucis Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bethel Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Zionville, see our Zionville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Cove Creek Elementary Vilas 4.4 mi 8.2
Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove 6.0 mi 8.3
Green Valley Elementary Boone 6.4 mi 7.1
MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone 7.3 mi
Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove 8.0 mi 8.6
Watauga Virtual Academy Boone 8.0 mi
Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City 8.3 mi 4.2
Hardin Park Elementary Boone 8.4 mi 6.8
Watauga High Boone 9.1 mi 7.6
Watauga Innovation Academy Boone 9.1 mi 4.6
Mountain City Elementary Mountain City 10.9 mi 3.4
Two Rivers Community School Boone 9.9 mi 5.4
Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City 11.2 mi 4.2
Johnson Co High School Mountain City 11.2 mi 5.0
MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City 13.3 mi 6.7
Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock 13.7 mi 7.4
Doe Elementary Mountain City 12.3 mi 3.5
Parkway Elementary Boone 12.0 mi 7.2
Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk 13.5 mi 9.8
Westwood Elementary West Jefferson 13.5 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28698 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,506

Median Home Value

$224,800

Median Rent

$663/mo

Population

2,259

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

87.5%

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

49.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mabel Elementary has a median household income of $56,506. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,800, with a median rent of $663/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% 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
Blue Ridge School Cashiers, NC 8.4
RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville, NC 8.4
Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte, NC 8.4
Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove, NC 8.3
Crossnore Elementary Crossnore, NC 8.5
East Elementary Kings Mountain, NC 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mabel Elementary

What grades does Mabel Elementary serve?

Mabel Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Mabel Elementary?

Mabel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 146 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mabel Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mabel Elementary is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mabel Elementary rank in NC?

Mabel Elementary is ranked #268 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mabel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mabel Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Mabel Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mabel Elementary has 56.4% math proficiency and 45.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mabel Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Mabel Elementary a Title I school?

No, Mabel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

69.9% of students at Mabel 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

Walk Score
2 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (282/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Watauga County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Watauga County Schools
District Enrollment
4,746
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,003
District Rank
#2 of 10

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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