Average
#1828 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mabel Elementary
Elementary School · Watauga County Schools
404 Mabel School Road, Zionville, NC 28698
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,828 of 2,648
In district
#10 of 10
Watauga County Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Mabel Elementary
Elementary School in Zionville · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cove Creek Elementary
4.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bethel Elementary
6.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mabel Elementary
Mabel Elementary is a public elementary school in Zionville, NC, part of Watauga County Schools. Mabel Elementary serves approximately 146 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Mabel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,828 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Mabel Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 7.1
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 146 students, Mabel Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.7:1 students to teachers, Mabel Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Mabel 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mabel Elementary — Students at Mabel Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 42 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: 3.1/10.
How Mabel Elementary Compares
See how Mabel 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
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 9.4/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blowing Rock Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Blowing Rock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkway Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Boone), which scores notably higher. 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 | 7.3 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 7.3 mi | — |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 8.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 8.0 mi | — |
| Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City | 8.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 8.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Watauga High Boone | 9.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Watauga Innovation Academy Boone | 9.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Mountain City Elementary Mountain City | 10.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Two Rivers Community School Boone | 9.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City | 11.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Johnson Co High School Mountain City | 11.2 mi | 5.1 |
| MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City | 13.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock | 13.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Doe Elementary Mountain City | 12.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkway Elementary Boone | 12.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 13.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Westwood Elementary West Jefferson | 13.5 mi | 7.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Boomer-Ferguson Elementary School Boomer, NC | 5.4 |
| Flat Rock Elementary Mount Airy, NC | 5.5 |
| Newland Elementary Newland, NC | 5.5 |
| ST CATHERINE OF SIENA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wake Forest, NC | 5.5 |
| Westfield Elementary Pilot Mountain, NC | 5.5 |
| Ashley Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 5.3 |
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 ranks #1,828 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mabel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mabel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Mabel Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mabel Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.3%
- Phone
- (828) 297-2512
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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