Excellent
#197 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Powell Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
1130 Marlborough Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Raleigh
#10 of 98
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#175 of 1,474
In district
#18 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Powell Elementary
Powell Elementary is a public elementary school in Raleigh, NC, part of the Wake County Schools. The school serves approximately 286 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 92.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 45% proficiency in math, 14 points below the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 0 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $66,245, where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Powell Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Powell Elementary — Students at Powell Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.1%
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: 9.5/10.
How Powell Elementary Compares
See how Powell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 52.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 58.1% (2025).
Location
1130 Marlborough Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Powell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poe Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Conn Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hunter Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Raleigh, see our Raleigh schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Enloe High Raleigh | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Longview Raleigh | 0.8 mi | — |
| Phillips High Raleigh | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Conn Elementary Raleigh | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Wake Early College of Health and Science Raleigh | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Poe Elementary Raleigh | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Hunter Elementary Raleigh | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy Raleigh | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Ligon Middle Raleigh | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Bugg Elementary Raleigh | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Central Wake High School Raleigh | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Brentwood Elementary Raleigh | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Joyner Elementary Raleigh | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Moore Square Middle Raleigh | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Southeast Raleigh Elementary Raleigh | 2.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Wilburn Elementary Raleigh | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Raleigh | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Carnage Middle Raleigh | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Underwood Elementary Raleigh | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,245
Median Home Value
$260,300
Median Rent
$1,319/mo
Population
80,173
College Educated
28.4%
Homeownership
60.4%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Powell Elementary has a median household income of $66,245. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,300, with a median rent of $1,319/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bennett School Bennett, NC | 8.6 |
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte, NC | 8.6 |
| Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.6 |
| Gardners Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.6 |
| Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC | 8.6 |
| Mountain Park Elementary State Road, NC | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Powell Elementary
What grades does Powell Elementary serve?
Powell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Powell Elementary?
Powell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Powell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Powell Elementary is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Powell Elementary rank in NC?
Powell Elementary is ranked #197 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Powell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Powell Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Powell Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Powell Elementary has 45.4% math proficiency and 52.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Powell Elementary a charter school?
No, Powell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Powell Elementary a Title I school?
No, Powell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Powell Elementary?
53.1% of students at Powell 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 286
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 856-7737
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #18 of 194
Other Schools in This District
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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