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Very Good

#932 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 35% in state

Parkway Elementary

Elementary School · Watauga County Schools

160 Parkway School Dr, Boone, NC 28607

Enrollment

649

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Boone

#2 of 6

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#757 of 1,474

In district

#7 of 10

Watauga County Schools

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Parkway Elementary

Parkway Elementary serves 649 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Boone, North Carolina, with a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 14.1 to 1 across its 46 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #564 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools. Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 70% reaching proficiency or above in mathematics and 68% meeting proficiency standards in English language arts and reading.

These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and place it well above average among elementary schools across the state. The school serves a diverse community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, though economic circumstances vary significantly throughout the area. As a regular public school, Parkway Elementary provides comprehensive education from the earliest learners through middle school students, offering families continuity through these formative academic years.

Located on Parkway School Drive in rural Watauga County, the school sits in a scenic mountain community near the town of Boone, where the natural beauty of the North Carolina High Country provides a distinctive backdrop for learning.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Parkway Elementary 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 Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.8%
Math vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,698

Parkway Elementary — Students at Parkway Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 66.9%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 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
57%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
70.4%
ELA
67.7%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Parkway Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
65th percentile in NC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

160 Parkway School Dr, Boone, NC 28607

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Parkway Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valle Crucis Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mabel Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Zionville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby West Jefferson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Boone, see our Boone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Two Rivers Community School Boone 2.9 mi 5.4
Watauga High Boone 5.1 mi 7.6
Watauga Innovation Academy Boone 5.1 mi 4.6
Green Valley Elementary Boone 5.6 mi 7.1
Watauga Virtual Academy Boone 5.5 mi
Hardin Park Elementary Boone 5.6 mi 6.8
MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone 5.6 mi
Westwood Elementary West Jefferson 9.6 mi 8.2
Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock 9.4 mi 7.4
Ashe County High West Jefferson 12.0 mi 5.4
Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson 12.2 mi 5.6
Cove Creek Elementary Vilas 10.5 mi 8.2
Mabel Elementary Zionville 12.0 mi 8.4
Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove 12.1 mi 8.6
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville 15.9 mi 6.2
Mountain View Elementary Jefferson 15.4 mi 7.6
Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir 16.4 mi 5.8
Ashe County Middle Warrensville 16.3 mi 8.1
Mount Pleasant Elementary School Ferguson 14.4 mi 4.7
Kings Creek Elementary Lenoir 18.9 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,132

Median Home Value

$339,200

Median Rent

$1,081/mo

Population

35,504

College Educated

53.8%

Homeownership

50%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

34.9%

Median Age

23.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Parkway Elementary has a median household income of $44,132. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,200, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC 7.2
Carolina Charter Academy Angier, NC 7.2
East Clayton Elementary Clayton, NC 7.2
Eastern Wayne Elementary Goldsboro, NC 7.2
Estes Elementary Asheville, NC 7.2
GW Carver Elementary Kannapolis, NC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Parkway Elementary

What grades does Parkway Elementary serve?

Parkway Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Parkway Elementary?

Parkway Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 649 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Parkway Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Parkway Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Parkway Elementary rank in NC?

Parkway Elementary is ranked #932 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Parkway Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Parkway Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Parkway Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parkway Elementary has 67.3% math proficiency and 66.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Parkway Elementary a charter school?

No, Parkway Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Parkway Elementary a Title I school?

No, Parkway Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Parkway Elementary?

35.0% of students at Parkway 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (999/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Boone). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Watauga County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Watauga County Schools
District Enrollment
4,746
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,003
District Rank
#7 of 10

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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