Excellent
#341 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Northwest Elementary
Elementary School · Lenoir County Public Schools
1701 Old Well Rd, Kinston, NC 28504
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kinston
#4 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#308 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 17
Lenoir County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwest Elementary
Northwest Elementary is a public elementary school in Kinston, NC, part of the Lenoir County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 445 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.2th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 46% proficiency in math, 13 points below the state average and 36% in reading/language arts, 17 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,650, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Northwest Elementary — Students at Northwest Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 9.5/10.
How Northwest Elementary Compares
See how Northwest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 57.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 40.7% (2025).
Location
1701 Old Well Rd, Kinston, NC 28504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moss Hill Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 10.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southwood Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Banks Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kinston, see our Kinston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kinston High Kinston | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston | 2.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Northeast Elementary Kinston | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kinston | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Lenoir County Early College High Kinston | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Banks Elementary Kinston | 4.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Southwood Elementary Kinston | 5.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 5.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange | 6.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Woodington Middle Kinston | 8.4 mi | 5.9 |
| MT CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hookerton | 10.2 mi | 7.1 |
| South Lenoir High Deep Run | 10.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Moss Hill Elementary Kinston | 10.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Snow Hill Primary Snow Hill | 12.4 mi | 8.1 |
| E B Frink Middle La Grange | 11.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,650
Median Home Value
$124,500
Median Rent
$905/mo
Population
20,325
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
61.9%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
43.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Elementary has a median household income of $50,650. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,500, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Coopers Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.2 |
| Cornelius Elementary Cornelius, NC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Elementary
What grades does Northwest Elementary serve?
Northwest Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Northwest Elementary?
Northwest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Elementary rank in NC?
Northwest Elementary is ranked #341 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Northwest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Northwest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Elementary has 46.1% math proficiency and 36.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Elementary a charter school?
No, Northwest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Northwest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Elementary?
99.3% of students at Northwest 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kinston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 445
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lenoir County
- Phone
- (252) 527-5143
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lenoir County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,372
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,902
- District Rank
- #5 of 17
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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