Very Good
#908 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 34% in state
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
100 John Roach Drive, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#6 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#740 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 15
McDowell County Schools
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Marion, North Carolina, in McDowell County. Serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 309 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting is rural, situated near the town but offering a peaceful, community-oriented environment.
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks at #1393 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 48th percentile for academic performance. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 50%, while its Math proficiency stands at 46%. With room for academic growth, Pleasant Gardens Elementary focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment.
The rural setting of the school provides a unique backdrop that complements its educational mission, fostering a sense of community and connection among students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pleasant Gardens Elementary School 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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Pleasant Gardens Elementary School — Students at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 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: 6.8/10.
How Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Compares
See how Pleasant Gardens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 51.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52.8% (2025).
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 9.1/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Fort Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Old Fort), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marion Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 3.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 3.6 mi | 8.2 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 4.8 mi | 9.1 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 7.0 mi | 4.7 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 6.6 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 6.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 7.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 7.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 8.1 mi | 7.9 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 11.0 mi | — |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 12.2 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pleasant Gardens Elementary School has a median household income of $55,036. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,100, with a median rent of $712/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.2 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC | 7.2 |
| Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC | 7.2 |
| Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 7.2 |
| Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington, NC | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #908 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pleasant Gardens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School 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 Pleasant Gardens Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pleasant Gardens Elementary School has 45.6% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 724-4422
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #8 of 15
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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