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Average

#1862 of 2,648 schools in NC

S Ray Lowder Elementary

Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools

350 Kennedy Dr, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Enrollment

280

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,862 of 2,648

In Lincolnton

#8 of 12

public schools

In district

#17 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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S Ray Lowder Elementary

5.3/10

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

Ge Massey Elementary

7.0/10

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

Lincolnton High

6.4/10

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

About S Ray Lowder Elementary

S Ray Lowder Elementary is a public elementary school in Lincolnton, NC, part of Lincoln County Schools. S Ray Lowder Elementary serves approximately 280 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. S Ray Lowder Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,862 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for S Ray Lowder Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,722
Chronic Absenteeism24.3%

S Ray Lowder Elementary — Students at S Ray Lowder Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 49.1% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84.5%
ELA
64.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2013
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
47.2%
ELA
37.8%
2025
Math
53%
ELA
49.2%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How S Ray Lowder Elementary Compares

See how S Ray Lowder Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
30th percentile in NC
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

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

350 Kennedy Dr, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering S Ray Lowder Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Vale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iron Station Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Iron Station), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pumpkin Center Primary (rated 7.7/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lincolnton, see our Lincolnton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton 1.1 mi 7.0
Lincolnton High Lincolnton 1.4 mi 6.4
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton 1.5 mi 7.2
Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton 1.9 mi 3.9
Asbury Academy Lincolnton 2.4 mi
Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton 4.1 mi 4.8
COMBINE ACADEMY Lincolnton 4.6 mi 7.5
Childers Elementary Lincolnton 4.2 mi 4.9
Iron Station Elementary Iron Station 4.5 mi 7.8
Maiden High Maiden 8.1 mi 4.8
Maiden Elementary Maiden 8.2 mi 7.6
Maiden Middle School Maiden 8.3 mi 6.4
Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton 7.2 mi 7.7
Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton 7.2 mi 4.9
Union Elementary Vale 7.9 mi 8.2
North Lincoln Middle Denver 7.8 mi 6.8
Costner Elementary Dallas 9.4 mi 5.2
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 8.1 mi 6.4
W C Friday Middle School Dallas 9.6 mi 4.6
North Lincoln High Lincolnton 8.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28092 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,625

Median Home Value

$220,700

Median Rent

$937/mo

Population

40,224

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Andrews Elementary Andrews, NC 5.3
Ashley Elementary Fayetteville, NC 5.3
Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 5.3
Nathanael Greene Elementary Liberty, NC 5.3
Reeds Elementary Lexington, NC 5.3
Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls, NC 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about S Ray Lowder Elementary

What grades does S Ray Lowder Elementary serve?

S Ray Lowder Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend S Ray Lowder Elementary?

S Ray Lowder Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at S Ray Lowder Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at S Ray Lowder Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does S Ray Lowder Elementary rank in NC?

S Ray Lowder Elementary ranks #1,862 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is S Ray Lowder Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

S Ray Lowder Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 S Ray Lowder Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, S Ray Lowder Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is S Ray Lowder Elementary a charter school?

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

Is S Ray Lowder Elementary a Title I school?

No, S Ray Lowder Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for S Ray Lowder Elementary?

98.9% of students at S Ray Lowder 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
6 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Lincoln County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

District

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

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