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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,857

Nebo Elementary School — Students at Nebo Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 47.0%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 49.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 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
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
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: 8.1/10.

How Nebo Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in NC
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,453/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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