Very Good
#499 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Nebo Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
254 Nebo School Road, Nebo, NC 28761
Enrollment
334
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
334
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#444 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Nebo Elementary School
Nebo Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area near Nebo, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, it has an enrollment of 334 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Nebo Elementary School is solid but shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and state rankings placing it at the 60th percentile among North Carolina schools.
On standardized tests, 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet proficiency standards in Math. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and small-town charm, Nebo Elementary School is an integral part of its community, fostering a nurturing environment for young learners to grow and thrive.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Nebo Elementary School 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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Nebo Elementary School — Students at Nebo Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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: 8.1/10.
How Nebo Elementary School Compares
See how Nebo Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 56.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2025).
Location
254 Nebo School Road, Nebo, NC 28761
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nebo Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 9.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marion Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Glen Alpine Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Morganton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Nebo, see our Nebo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 3.8 mi | 9.1 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 4.5 mi | 8.6 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 4.7 mi | 8.2 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 4.7 mi | 4.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 6.2 mi | 4.2 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 6.3 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 6.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 7.6 mi | 6.2 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 7.8 mi | 4.7 |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 8.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 8.4 mi | 8.1 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 8.9 mi | — |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 9.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 9.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 10.6 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28761 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,152
Median Home Value
$171,600
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Population
7,884
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
84.5%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
46.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nebo Elementary School has a median household income of $68,152. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,600, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.9 |
| Fairview Elementary High Point, NC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nebo Elementary School
What grades does Nebo Elementary School serve?
Nebo Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Nebo Elementary School?
Nebo Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 334 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nebo Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nebo Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nebo Elementary School rank in NC?
Nebo Elementary School is ranked #499 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Nebo Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nebo Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Nebo Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nebo Elementary School has 47.0% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nebo Elementary School a charter school?
No, Nebo Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nebo Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Nebo Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nebo Elementary School?
99.1% of students at Nebo Elementary School 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 334
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 652-4737
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #6 of 15
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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