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
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Parkway Elementary — Students at Parkway Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 6.2/10.
How Parkway Elementary Compares
See how Parkway Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 70.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 67.8% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (828) 264-3032
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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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