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Average

#1944 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

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,944 of 2,648

In district

#2 of 4

Alleghany County Schools

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Piney Creek Elementary

5.1/10

Elementary School in Piney Creek · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Oak Hill Academy

8.2/10

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

Grayson Highlands

9.6/10

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

About Piney Creek Elementary

Piney Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Piney Creek, NC, part of Alleghany County Schools. Piney Creek Elementary serves approximately 191 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Piney Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,944 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Piney Creek Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 191 students, Piney Creek Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Piney Creek Elementary 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,685
Chronic Absenteeism23%

Piney Creek Elementary — Students at Piney Creek Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

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 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 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
92%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
46.1%
ELA
40.1%
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: 2.6/10.

How Piney Creek Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
27th percentile in NC
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.0%

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

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. Grayson Highlands (rated 9.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Troutdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sugar Grove Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blue Ridge Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Warrensville), 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 9.6
Grayson County High Independence 10.1 mi 9.3
Independence Middle Independence 10.1 mi 7.4
Mountain View Elementary Jefferson 11.1 mi 7.6
Sparta Elementary Sparta 10.3 mi 4.2
Independence Elementary Independence 10.6 mi 7.8
Alleghany High Sparta 10.3 mi 8.0
Ashe County Middle Warrensville 12.8 mi 8.9
Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson 14.3 mi 5.5
Ashe County High West Jefferson 14.5 mi 5.8
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville 14.0 mi 8.6
Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove 16.8 mi 9.1
Westwood Elementary West Jefferson 17.1 mi 7.4
Speedwell Elementary Wytheville 19.8 mi 7.4
North Wilkes Middle School North Wilkesboro 21.6 mi 7.5
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 18.3 mi 4.7
Mulberry Elementary School North Wilkesboro 22.6 mi 8.5
North Wilkes High School Hays 21.6 mi 7.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bladen Lakes Primary Elizabethtown, NC 5.1
Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine, NC 5.1
University Park Creative Arts Charlotte, NC 5.1
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville, NC 5.1
GRACE COVENANT ACADEMY Cornelius, NC 5.0
Gouge Elementary Bakersville, NC 5.0

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 ranks #1,944 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Piney Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Piney Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Piney Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Piney Creek Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.0%

District

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

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