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Average

#1669 of 2,648 schools in NC

Rock Springs Elementary

Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools

3633 Hwy 16 N, Denver, NC 28037

Enrollment

647

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#3 of 7

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,141 of 1,474

In district

#10 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Rock Springs Elementary

Rock Springs Elementary serves 647 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Denver, North Carolina, operating as a regular public school in Lincoln County. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.8 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, Rock Springs Elementary demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and an impressive academic score of 9.0 out of 10.

The school ranks #366 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide. Students excel particularly in mathematics, with 82% achieving proficient or above levels, while 74% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $110,932 and median home values are $404,700.

Nearly half of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at just 5.2%. This strong socioeconomic foundation supports student achievement and family engagement in education. Rock Springs Elementary is situated in a rural setting near the town of Denver, providing students with a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and the natural beauty of Lincoln County.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Rock Springs 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 Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.2%
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,582

Rock Springs Elementary — Students at Rock Springs Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

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 79.9%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 73.6%
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
75%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
72%
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: 4.6/10.

How Rock Springs Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
37th percentile in NC
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

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 7.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Mooresville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Norman Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Mooresville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Catawba Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.1
St James Elementary Denver 3.1 mi 5.6
STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 3.0 mi 4.0
Lincoln Charter School Denver 3.3 mi 5.0
Catawba Springs Elementary Denver 5.1 mi 7.1
East Lincoln High Denver 5.2 mi 6.6
East Lincoln Middle Iron Station 5.3 mi 5.3
North Lincoln High Lincolnton 5.3 mi 5.4
North Lincoln Middle Denver 5.5 mi 5.4
Sherrills Ford Elementary Sherrills Ford 6.7 mi 5.8
Woodland Heights Elementary Mooresville 6.4 mi 7.9
Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton 6.2 mi 5.6
Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton 6.3 mi 7.0
Woodland Heights Middle Mooresville 6.5 mi 6.9
Bandys High Catawba 8.7 mi 4.8
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville 8.5 mi 7.4
Mill Creek Middle Claremont 9.1 mi 5.4
Lake Norman Elementary Mooresville 8.0 mi 7.5
Lake Norman High Mooresville 8.4 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rock Springs Elementary has a median household income of $109,779. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,700, with a median rent of $1,126/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City, NC 5.9
Bessemer Elementary Greensboro, NC 5.9
Billingsville Elementary Charlotte, NC 5.9
Bladenboro Primary Bladenboro, NC 5.9
Edwin M Holt Elementary Burlington, NC 5.9
Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington, NC 5.9

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 is ranked #1669 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Rock Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rock Springs Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Rock Springs Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rock Springs Elementary has 79.9% math proficiency and 73.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (797/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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