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Very Good

#616 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 23% 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

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#616 of 2,648

In district

#5 of 15

McDowell County Schools

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Old Fort Elementary School

7.7/10

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

Asheville Academy

6.9/10

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

West Marion Elementary School

5.7/10

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

About Old Fort Elementary School

Old Fort Elementary School is a public elementary school in Old Fort, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Old Fort Elementary School serves approximately 319 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Old Fort Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #616 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Old Fort Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Old Fort 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,112
Chronic Absenteeism20.7%

Old Fort Elementary School — Students at Old Fort Elementary School score 63% 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 55.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (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
86%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
51.3%
ELA
54.5%
2025
Math
68.8%
ELA
57%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Old Fort Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
77th percentile in NC
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.7%

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

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 8.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ASHEVILLE ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Black Mountain), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Marion Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 10.7 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 5.7
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion 7.6 mi 6.2
Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain 7.6 mi 6.3
Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain 7.8 mi 5.4
Foothills Community School Marion 8.8 mi 8.6
West McDowell Middle School Marion 9.3 mi 5.5
McDowell Virtual Academy Marion 9.3 mi 2.3
McDowell High School Marion 9.4 mi 6.2
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 6.8
East McDowell Middle School Marion 11.1 mi 4.8
Owen High Black Mountain 10.9 mi 7.1
ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville 13.5 mi
Owen Middle Swannanoa 11.1 mi 5.6
Glenwood Elementary School Marion 11.2 mi 5.1
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY - BAT CAVE Hendersonville 12.6 mi
Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion 11.6 mi 8.2
South Toe Elementary Burnsville 14.8 mi 5.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte, NC 7.7
Belvoir Elementary Greenville, NC 7.7
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville, NC 7.7
East Bend Elementary East Bend, NC 7.7
Icard Elementary Connelly Springs, NC 7.7
Next Generation Academy Greensboro, NC 7.7

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 ranks #616 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Old Fort Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Old Fort Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Old Fort Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Old Fort Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.7%

District

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

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