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Average

#1381 of 2,648 schools in NC

Poplin Elementary

Elementary School · Union County Public Schools

5627 Poplin Rd, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Enrollment

759

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indian Trail

#4 of 8

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,013 of 1,474

In district

#26 of 52

Union County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Poplin Elementary

Poplin Elementary serves 759 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Indian Trail, North Carolina, consistently delivering strong academic results that place it in the top tier of elementary schools statewide. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 across 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a solid foundation for young learners in Union County. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive in mathematics, where 84% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels.

Reading and language arts instruction also shows solid results, with 66% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. These outcomes contribute to Poplin Elementary's ranking of #432 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide. The school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $94,991 and home values average $311,500.

With 40% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 4.7%, the surrounding neighborhood reflects a commitment to education and family stability. Poplin Elementary sits in a rural setting near Indian Trail, offering students the benefits of small-town community feel while maintaining access to the broader Charlotte metropolitan area's resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Poplin Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66%
Math vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,010

Poplin Elementary — Students at Poplin Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 80.2%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 65.9%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
74%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
67%
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: 5.4/10.

How Poplin Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
48th percentile in NC
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

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. Stallings Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Stallings), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sardis Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Porter Ridge Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.4
Porter Ridge Elementary Indian Trail 1.5 mi 7.2
Hemby Bridge Elementary Indian Trail 1.7 mi 7.2
Porter Ridge High School Indian Trail 1.5 mi 5.4
Porter Ridge Middle School Indian Trail 1.7 mi 6.1
Union Prep Academy at Indian Trail Indian Trail 2.7 mi 6.0
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 6.6
Sun Valley High Monroe 3.7 mi 4.1
Sun Valley Middle Indian Trail 4.1 mi 7.5
Shiloh Valley Primary School Monroe 4.2 mi 6.2
Stallings Elementary Stallings 4.0 mi 7.5
Shiloh Valley Elementary Monroe 4.4 mi 5.8
Monroe Charter Academy Monroe 4.8 mi 2.6
FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monroe 5.1 mi 7.2
Indian Trail Elementary Indian Trail 4.2 mi 5.7
SHANDS SCHOOL Matthews 4.4 mi
Matthews Charter Academy Matthews 4.7 mi 6.7
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poplin Elementary has a median household income of $97,602. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,000, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Chinquapin Elementary Chinquapin, NC 6.4
Hillcrest Elementary Burlington, NC 6.4
Kensington Elementary Waxhaw, NC 6.4
Manteo Elementary School Manteo, NC 6.4
Meadowlark Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 6.4
Mountain View Elementary Hickory, NC 6.4

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 is ranked #1381 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Poplin Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplin Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Poplin Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poplin Elementary has 80.2% math proficiency and 65.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (591/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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