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Average

#1251 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 47% 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

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,251 of 2,648

In district

#7 of 15

McDowell County Schools

Equity

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Nebo Elementary School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Nebo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Eastfield Global Magnet School

8.2/10

3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mcdowell Early College

9.0/10

4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Nebo Elementary School

Nebo Elementary School is a public elementary school in Nebo, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Nebo Elementary School serves approximately 334 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Nebo Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,251 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Nebo Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Nebo Elementary School 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.

34% of students at Nebo Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,112
Chronic Absenteeism34.4%

Nebo Elementary School — Students at Nebo Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 49.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
57.4%
ELA
47.8%
2025
Math
55.8%
ELA
51.7%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Nebo Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in NC
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glen Alpine Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Morganton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marion Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Marion), 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 8.2
McDowell Early College Marion 4.5 mi 9.0
McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion 4.5 mi 9.4
East McDowell Middle School Marion 4.2 mi 4.8
Marion Elementary School Marion 4.7 mi 6.8
NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion 4.7 mi 4.2
McDowell High School Marion 6.2 mi 6.2
West McDowell Middle School Marion 6.3 mi 5.5
McDowell Virtual Academy Marion 6.3 mi 2.3
Foothills Community School Marion 6.7 mi 8.6
Glenwood Elementary School Marion 7.6 mi 5.1
North Cove Elementary School Marion 7.8 mi 4.5
SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton 7.9 mi 5.9
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion 8.1 mi 6.2
Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton 8.4 mi 6.9
THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton 8.9 mi
West Marion Elementary School Marion 9.8 mi 5.7
W A Young Elementary Morganton 9.1 mi 6.6
Table Rock Middle Morganton 9.4 mi 5.8
Oak Hill Elementary Morganton 10.6 mi 4.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington, NC 6.5
ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa, NC 6.5
Banoak Elementary Vale, NC 6.5
Candler Elementary Candler, NC 6.5
Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC 6.5
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville, NC 6.5

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 ranks #1,251 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Nebo Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nebo Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Nebo Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nebo Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

District

McDowell County Schools
District Enrollment
5,661
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,112
District Rank
#7 of 15

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