Excellent
#255 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 10% in state
Old Fort Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
128 Mauney Avenue, Old Fort, NC 28762
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#227 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Old Fort Elementary School
Old Fort Elementary School is a public elementary school in Old Fort, NC, part of the McDowell County Schools. The school serves approximately 319 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 55% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $52,269, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Old Fort 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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Old Fort Elementary School — Students at Old Fort Elementary School score 63% 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: 8.5/10.
How Old Fort Elementary School Compares
See how Old Fort Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 68.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57.3% (2025).
Location
128 Mauney Avenue, Old Fort, NC 28762
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Old Fort Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 9.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Marion Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Marion Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Old Fort, see our Old Fort schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ASHEVILLE ACADEMY Black Mountain | 7.1 mi | 6.9 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 6.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 7.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain | 7.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain | 7.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 8.8 mi | 8.2 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 9.3 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 9.3 mi | 5.7 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 9.4 mi | 4.2 |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI Black Mtn | 9.1 mi | — |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 10.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 10.7 mi | 8.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Owen High Black Mountain | 10.9 mi | 5.0 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 13.5 mi | — |
| Owen Middle Swannanoa | 11.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 11.2 mi | 6.2 |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY - BAT CAVE Hendersonville | 12.6 mi | — |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 11.6 mi | 9.1 |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 14.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28762 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,269
Median Home Value
$176,300
Median Rent
$757/mo
Population
6,305
College Educated
18.4%
Homeownership
71.4%
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Median Age
54.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Old Fort Elementary School has a median household income of $52,269. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,300, with a median rent of $757/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allenbrook Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.4 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort, NC | 8.4 |
| Bluford Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.4 |
| Douglass Elementary Eden, NC | 8.4 |
| East Bend Elementary East Bend, NC | 8.4 |
| Eastover-Central Elementary Eastover, NC | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Old Fort Elementary School
What grades does Old Fort Elementary School serve?
Old Fort Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Old Fort Elementary School?
Old Fort Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Old Fort Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Old Fort Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Old Fort Elementary School rank in NC?
Old Fort Elementary School is ranked #255 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Old Fort Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Old Fort Elementary School 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 Old Fort Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Old Fort Elementary School has 58.2% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Old Fort Elementary School a charter school?
No, Old Fort Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Old Fort Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Old Fort Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Old Fort Elementary School?
99.1% of students at Old Fort 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 319
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 668-7646
- 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
- #3 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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