Average
#1405 of 2,648 schools in NC
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
100 John Roach Drive, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,405 of 2,648
In Marion
#7 of 13
public schools
In district
#9 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Elementary School in Marion · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Mcdowell Middle School
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School is a public elementary school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Pleasant Gardens Elementary School serves approximately 309 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Pleasant Gardens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,405 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Pleasant Gardens Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School 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.
32% of students at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School — Students at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Compares
See how Pleasant Gardens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
100 John Roach Drive, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pleasant Gardens Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 8.2/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenlee Primary (rated 8.0/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Old Fort Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Old Fort), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 1.8 mi | 2.3 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 4.9 mi | 5.7 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 4.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 4.8 mi | 8.2 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 6.6 mi | 9.0 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 6.6 mi | 9.4 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 7.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 7.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 8.1 mi | 6.5 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 11.0 mi | — |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 12.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 13.3 mi | 8.0 |
| ASHEVILLE ACADEMY Black Mountain | 13.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 15.0 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28752 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,036
Median Home Value
$166,100
Median Rent
$712/mo
Population
30,602
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
71.8%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
41.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden, NC | 6.2 |
| Croft Community School Charlotte, NC | 6.2 |
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte, NC | 6.2 |
| Forbush Elementary East Bend, NC | 6.2 |
| Gaston STEM Leadership Academy Gaston, NC | 6.2 |
| Havelock Elementary Havelock, NC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
What grades does Pleasant Gardens Elementary School serve?
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pleasant Gardens Elementary School?
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pleasant Gardens Elementary School rank in NC?
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School ranks #1,405 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pleasant Gardens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Pleasant Gardens Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pleasant Gardens Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pleasant Gardens Elementary School a charter school?
No, Pleasant Gardens Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pleasant Gardens Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Pleasant Gardens Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pleasant Gardens Elementary School?
99.0% of students at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 309
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.7%
- Phone
- (828) 724-4422
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #9 of 15
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