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Excellent

#189 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 7% in state

Poplar Springs Elementary School

Elementary School · Stokes County Schools

223 Hobe Kiser Road, King, NC 27021

Enrollment

461

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#189 of 2,648

In King

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 19

Stokes County Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Poplar Springs Elementary School

8.6/10

Elementary School in King · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

King Elementary School

4.4/10

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

Calvary Christian School

5.1/10

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

About Poplar Springs Elementary School

Poplar Springs Elementary School is a public elementary school in King, NC, part of Stokes County Schools. Poplar Springs Elementary School serves approximately 461 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Poplar Springs Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #189 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Poplar Springs Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

How it compares2.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Poplar Springs 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+8.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,939
Chronic Absenteeism17.4%

Poplar Springs Elementary School — Students at Poplar Springs Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.9% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 47.2% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 30 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2012
Math
48%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
61%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
54%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
48.7%
2025
Math
72.5%
ELA
54.7%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Poplar Springs Elementary School Compares

See how Poplar Springs Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in NC
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

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

223 Hobe Kiser Road, King, NC 27021

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar Springs Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pinnacle Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Pinnacle), with a comparable rating. Another option is Old Richmond Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Tobaccoville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mount Olive Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in King, see our King schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.5 mi
School Distance Rating
King Elementary School King 1.7 mi 4.4
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL King 2.0 mi 5.1
West Stokes High School King 3.1 mi 7.2
Mount Olive Elementary School King 3.2 mi 7.2
Chestnut Grove Middle School King 3.3 mi 6.0
Meadowbrook Academy King 3.4 mi 4.5
Rural Hall Elementary Rural Hall 4.0 mi 4.5
WOODLAND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem 6.1 mi 5.9
Germanton Elementary School Germanton 5.2 mi 4.0
South Stokes High School Walnut Cove 5.4 mi 7.8
Northwest Middle Winston-Salem 7.0 mi 2.9
Gibson Elementary Winston-Salem 7.3 mi 3.1
Old Richmond Elementary Tobaccoville 6.9 mi 7.6
Pinnacle Elementary School Pinnacle 6.6 mi 7.8
Kingswood School Winston-Salem 8.0 mi
Forsyth Academy Winston-Salem 8.6 mi 3.8
North Forsyth High Winston-Salem 8.5 mi 3.4
Ronald W Reagan High School Pfafftown 8.7 mi 7.4
Old Town Elementary Winston-Salem 8.8 mi 3.3
The Special Children's School Winston-Salem 9.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,736

Median Home Value

$203,600

Median Rent

$912/mo

Population

17,029

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

43.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alamance Elementary Greensboro, NC 8.6
Badin Elementary Badin, NC 8.6
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville, NC 8.6
Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC 8.6
Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne, NC 8.6
Conn Elementary Raleigh, NC 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar Springs Elementary School

What grades does Poplar Springs Elementary School serve?

Poplar Springs Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Poplar Springs Elementary School?

Poplar Springs Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 461 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar Springs Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplar Springs Elementary School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplar Springs Elementary School rank in NC?

Poplar Springs Elementary School ranks #189 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Poplar Springs Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar Springs Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Poplar Springs Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poplar Springs Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

Is Poplar Springs Elementary School a charter school?

No, Poplar Springs Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Poplar Springs Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Poplar Springs Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poplar Springs Elementary School?

56.2% of students at Poplar Springs 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Stokes County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

District

Stokes County Schools
District Enrollment
5,585
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,939
District Rank
#2 of 19

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