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Average

#1399 of 2,648 schools in NC

Piney Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Alleghany County Schools

559 Piney Creek Sch Road, Piney Creek, NC 28663

Enrollment

191

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,022 of 1,474

In district

#2 of 4

Alleghany County Schools

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Piney Creek Elementary

Piney Creek Elementary is a charming rural school located in Piney Creek, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school provides a comprehensive education to its 191 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. The dedicated staff includes 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support each child's learning journey.

Academically, Piney Creek Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks at the 42nd percentile among North Carolina schools. In reading and ELA, about 56% of students are proficient or above, while in math, that number is slightly higher with 59% proficiency. The school focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment where children can grow both academically and personally.

Piney Creek Elementary sits in a remote rural area, surrounded by natural beauty and a close-knit community. With its small-town charm and dedicated educators, the school provides a nurturing setting for students to thrive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 191 students, Piney Creek Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Piney Creek 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 Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.4%
Math vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,572

Piney Creek Elementary — Students at Piney Creek Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.2%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 55.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
61.2%
ELA
55.8%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Piney Creek Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

559 Piney Creek Sch Road, Piney Creek, NC 28663

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Piney Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mulberry Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby North Wilkesboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sugar Grove Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby West Jefferson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Piney Creek, see our Piney Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.0 mi
School Distance Rating
OAK HILL ACADEMY Mouth Of Wilson 4.0 mi 8.2
Grayson Highlands Troutdale 9.2 mi 7.6
Grayson County High Independence 10.1 mi 6.8
Independence Middle Independence 10.1 mi 6.9
Mountain View Elementary Jefferson 11.1 mi 7.6
Sparta Elementary Sparta 10.3 mi 5.2
Independence Elementary Independence 10.6 mi 4.2
Alleghany High Sparta 10.3 mi 7.8
Ashe County Middle Warrensville 12.8 mi 8.1
Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson 14.3 mi 5.6
Ashe County High West Jefferson 14.5 mi 5.4
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville 14.0 mi 6.2
Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove 16.8 mi 8.3
Westwood Elementary West Jefferson 17.1 mi 8.2
Speedwell Elementary Wytheville 19.8 mi 6.1
North Wilkes Middle School North Wilkesboro 21.6 mi 7.8
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 18.3 mi 4.7
Mulberry Elementary School North Wilkesboro 22.6 mi 8.8
North Wilkes High School Hays 21.6 mi 7.3
Atkins Elementary Atkins 23.0 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28663 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Home Value

$204,300

Population

474

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

88.4%

Poverty Rate

19%

Median Age

57.6

Community Profile

It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,300. The area has a poverty rate of 19.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington, NC 6.3
Coker-Wimberly Elementary Battleboro, NC 6.3
Everetts Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC 6.2
Forbush Elementary East Bend, NC 6.2
Johnston Elementary Asheville, NC 6.2
Morven Elementary Morven, NC 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Piney Creek Elementary

What grades does Piney Creek Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Piney Creek Elementary?

Piney Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 191 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Piney Creek Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Piney Creek Elementary rank in NC?

Piney Creek Elementary is ranked #1399 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Piney Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Piney Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Piney Creek Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Piney Creek Elementary has 59.2% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Piney Creek Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Piney Creek Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

56.0% of students at Piney 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
191
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Alleghany County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alleghany County Schools
District Enrollment
1,400
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,685
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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