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Excellent

#94 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 4% in state

Paw Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

1300 Cathey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Enrollment

737

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#5 of 173

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#82 of 1,474

In district

#5 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Paw Creek Elementary

Paw Creek Elementary serves 737 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school earns a composite score of 8.9 out of 10 — rated Excellent — built on an academic score of 9.3 and a near-perfect growth score of 9.9. Those marks place Paw Creek at the top of a crowded field.

It ranks 7th out of 174 public schools in Charlotte and outperforms 96% of all public schools in North Carolina — a statewide standing of 120th among 2,648. Among North Carolina's elementary schools specifically, it places 105th out of 1,474. These results hold across both raw achievement and the rate at which students progress year over year.

The student-teacher ratio of 15.7 to 1 gives teachers room to work with individual students at a school that enrolls over 700 kids. The 9.9 growth score — essentially the ceiling — means students here consistently advance beyond expected trajectories, regardless of where they start. For families in Charlotte comparing public options, Paw Creek's combination of high achievement and exceptional growth puts it among the strongest public elementary choices in the state.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.5%
Math vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+26.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,853

Paw Creek Elementary — Students at Paw Creek Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.0%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 50.4%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 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
42%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
81.7%
ELA
60.6%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Paw Creek Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in NC
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

1300 Cathey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paw Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tuckaseegee Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Allenbrook Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Westerly Hills Academy (rated 8.0/10, 4.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Coulwood STEM Academy Charlotte 0.9 mi 8.5
Turning Point Academy Charlotte 1.2 mi 5.5
Mountain Island Lake Academy Charlotte 1.5 mi 4.2
Jackson Day School Charlotte 2.0 mi 7.1
River Oaks Academy Charlotte 2.2 mi 4.0
Wilson STEM Academy Charlotte 2.9 mi 7.1
Tuckaseegee Elementary Charlotte 2.9 mi 8.9
Allenbrook Elementary Charlotte 2.6 mi 8.4
West Mecklenburg High School Charlotte 3.0 mi 4.0
Whitewater Academy Charlotte 2.6 mi 7.4
Whitewater Middle Charlotte 2.7 mi 7.1
East Voyager Academy of Charlotte Charlotte 3.3 mi 5.0
Oakdale Elementary Charlotte 2.8 mi 7.4
Thomasboro Academy Charlotte 3.6 mi 6.7
Pinewood Elementary Mount Holly 4.0 mi 7.8
Westerly Hills Academy Charlotte 4.5 mi 8.0
Harding University High School Charlotte 4.5 mi 5.4
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology Charlotte 4.7 mi 6.1
Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly 4.3 mi 7.8
Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly 4.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,618

Median Home Value

$258,400

Median Rent

$1,570/mo

Population

42,197

College Educated

36%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

35.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paw Creek Elementary has a median household income of $83,618. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,400, with a median rent of $1,570/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Edwin A Anderson Elementary Wilmington, NC 8.9
Glenn Elementary Durham, NC 8.9
Leesville Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 8.9
Meadow School Benson, NC 8.9
Royal Oaks Elementary Kannapolis, NC 8.9
Tuckaseegee Elementary Charlotte, NC 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paw Creek Elementary

What grades does Paw Creek Elementary serve?

Paw Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Paw Creek Elementary?

Paw Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 737 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paw Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Paw Creek Elementary is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paw Creek Elementary rank in NC?

Paw Creek Elementary is ranked #94 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Paw Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Paw Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Paw Creek Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paw Creek Elementary has 66.0% math proficiency and 50.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paw Creek Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Paw Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Paw Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.6% of students at Paw Creek 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
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Compare This School

How does Paw Creek Elementary stack up?

Charlotte East Language Academy
9.3
Oaklawn Language Academy
9.2
Lincoln Heights Montessori
9.2
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
737
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#5 of 179

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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