Skip to main content

Excellent

#382 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 14% in state

Poplin Elementary

Elementary School · Union County Public Schools

5627 Poplin Rd, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Enrollment

759

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#382 of 2,648

In Indian Trail

#1 of 8

public schools

In district

#11 of 52

Union County Public Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Poplin Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Poplin Elementary

8.1/10

Elementary School in Indian Trail · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sardis Elementary

7.7/10

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

Porter Ridge Elementary

5.1/10

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

About Poplin Elementary

Poplin Elementary is a public elementary school in Indian Trail, NC, part of Union County Public Schools. Poplin Elementary serves approximately 759 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Poplin Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #382 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Poplin Elementary show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Poplin 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 Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment6.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,340
Chronic Absenteeism20.6%

Poplin Elementary — Students at Poplin Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 68.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
78%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
83%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
79%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
83.7%
ELA
70.3%
2025
Math
84%
ELA
66.1%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Poplin Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

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

5627 Poplin Rd, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplin Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sardis Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a comparable rating. Another option is Hemby Bridge Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Matthews Charter Academy (rated 7.1/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Matthews), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Indian Trail, see our Indian Trail schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Sardis Elementary Monroe 1.6 mi 7.7
Porter Ridge Elementary Indian Trail 1.5 mi 5.1
Hemby Bridge Elementary Indian Trail 1.7 mi 7.1
Porter Ridge High School Indian Trail 1.5 mi 7.2
Porter Ridge Middle School Indian Trail 1.7 mi 6.3
Union Prep Academy at Indian Trail Indian Trail 2.7 mi 5.8
METROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indian Trail 3.2 mi 4.3
METROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indian Trail 3.2 mi 3.9
Union County Early College Monroe 4.0 mi 8.2
Sun Valley High Monroe 3.7 mi 6.9
Sun Valley Middle Indian Trail 4.1 mi 6.4
Shiloh Valley Primary School Monroe 4.2 mi 3.9
Stallings Elementary Stallings 4.0 mi 6.9
Shiloh Valley Elementary Monroe 4.4 mi 4.2
Monroe Charter Academy Monroe 4.8 mi 5.0
FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monroe 5.1 mi 7.2
Indian Trail Elementary Indian Trail 4.2 mi 5.5
SHANDS SCHOOL Matthews 4.4 mi
Matthews Charter Academy Matthews 4.7 mi 7.1
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indian Trail 5.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,602

Median Home Value

$352,000

Median Rent

$1,895/mo

Population

40,820

College Educated

40.7%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Benhaven Elementary Sanford, NC 8.1
Catawba Springs Elementary Denver, NC 8.1
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee, NC 8.1
Clemmons Elementary Clemmons, NC 8.1
Deep River Elementary Sanford, NC 8.1
Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro, NC 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplin Elementary

What grades does Poplin Elementary serve?

Poplin Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Poplin Elementary?

Poplin Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 759 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplin Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplin Elementary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplin Elementary rank in NC?

Poplin Elementary ranks #382 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Poplin Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplin Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Poplin Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poplin Elementary has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Poplin Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Poplin Elementary a Title I school?

No, Poplin Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

34.1% of students at Poplin 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
759
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

District

Union County Public Schools
District Enrollment
41,687
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,340
District Rank
#11 of 52

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.