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
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Mabel Elementary — Students at Mabel Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 18 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: 8.9/10.
How Mabel Elementary Compares
See how Mabel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 63.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47.1% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (828) 297-2512
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #2 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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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