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Excellent

#289 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 11% in state

Rock Springs Elementary

Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools

3633 Hwy 16 N, Denver, NC 28037

Enrollment

647

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#289 of 2,648

In Denver

#1 of 7

public schools

In district

#1 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Rock Springs Elementary

8.3/10

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

Denver Christian Academy

6.4/10

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

West Lake Preparatory Academy

6.6/10

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

About Rock Springs Elementary

Rock Springs Elementary is a public elementary school in Denver, NC, part of Lincoln County Schools. Rock Springs Elementary serves approximately 647 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Rock Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #289 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Rock Springs Elementary show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Rock Springs 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 Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,722
Chronic Absenteeism15.1%

Rock Springs Elementary — Students at Rock Springs Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 73.9% (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
93%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
79%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
81%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
78%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
73.7%
2025
Math
81.6%
ELA
74.2%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Rock Springs Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
89th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

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

3633 Hwy 16 N, Denver, NC 28037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rock Springs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodland Heights Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Mooresville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Catawba Springs Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sherrills Ford Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Sherrills Ford), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
DENVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 2.4 mi 6.4
West Lake Preparatory Academy Denver 2.7 mi 6.6
St James Elementary Denver 3.1 mi 6.8
STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 3.0 mi 4.0
Lincoln Charter School Denver 3.3 mi 6.9
Catawba Springs Elementary Denver 5.1 mi 8.1
East Lincoln High Denver 5.2 mi 7.3
East Lincoln Middle Iron Station 5.3 mi 6.3
North Lincoln High Lincolnton 5.3 mi 7.1
North Lincoln Middle Denver 5.5 mi 6.8
Sherrills Ford Elementary Sherrills Ford 6.7 mi 7.9
Woodland Heights Elementary Mooresville 6.4 mi 8.3
Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton 6.2 mi 4.9
Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton 6.3 mi 7.7
Woodland Heights Middle Mooresville 6.5 mi 6.7
Bandys High Catawba 8.7 mi 7.2
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville 8.5 mi 7.4
Mill Creek Middle Claremont 9.1 mi 5.3
Lake Norman Elementary Mooresville 8.0 mi 7.6
Lake Norman High Mooresville 8.4 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,779

Median Home Value

$455,700

Median Rent

$1,126/mo

Population

27,128

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

84%

Avg Commute

32.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

45

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethany Elementary Reidsville, NC 8.3
Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill, NC 8.3
Mountain View Elementary Hickory, NC 8.3
Myers Park Traditional Elem Charlotte, NC 8.3
North Topsail Elementary Hampstead, NC 8.3
Olde Providence Elementary Charlotte, NC 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rock Springs Elementary

What grades does Rock Springs Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Rock Springs Elementary?

Rock Springs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 647 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rock Springs Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rock Springs 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 Rock Springs Elementary rank in NC?

Rock Springs Elementary ranks #289 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Rock Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rock Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Rock Springs Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rock Springs Elementary has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Rock Springs Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Rock Springs Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

21.5% of students at Rock Springs 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
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lincoln County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#1 of 21

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