Very Good
#965 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 36% in state
S Ray Lowder Elementary
Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools
350 Kennedy Dr, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lincolnton
#2 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#777 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About S Ray Lowder Elementary
S Ray Lowder Elementary is a regular public school located in Lincolnton, North Carolina, on the outskirts of an urban area. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 280 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, S Ray Lowder Elementary ensures that each child receives individual attention and support.
The academic performance at S Ray Lowder Elementary reflects steady progress with room for improvement. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and is ranked #1337 among North Carolina's 2,661 schools, placing it in the 50th percentile overall. In terms of proficiency rates, 46% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 47% meet these standards in math.
S Ray Lowder Elementary is situated in a supportive community that values education, providing a nurturing environment for young learners to grow and develop.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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S Ray Lowder Elementary — Students at S Ray Lowder Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
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: 7.4/10.
How S Ray Lowder Elementary Compares
See how S Ray Lowder Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 52.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.3% (2025).
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. Battleground Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iron Station Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Iron Station), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maiden Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Maiden), which scores slightly 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 | 5.3 |
| Lincolnton High Lincolnton | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton | 1.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Asbury Academy Lincolnton | 2.4 mi | — |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton | 4.1 mi | 4.9 |
| COMBINE ACADEMY Lincolnton | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Childers Elementary Lincolnton | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Iron Station Elementary Iron Station | 4.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 8.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 8.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 7.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 7.9 mi | 6.1 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 9.4 mi | 6.4 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 8.1 mi | 6.3 |
| W C Friday Middle School Dallas | 9.6 mi | 3.9 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 8.6 mi | 5.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding S Ray Lowder Elementary has a median household income of $62,625. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,700, with a median rent of $937/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ahoskie Elementary Ahoskie, NC | 7.1 |
| Clara J Peck Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.1 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone, NC | 7.1 |
| Oak Lane Elementary Hurdle Mills, NC | 7.1 |
| Parkview Village Elementary High Point, NC | 7.1 |
| Princeville Elementary Tarboro, NC | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #965 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is S Ray Lowder Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
S Ray Lowder Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 S Ray Lowder Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, S Ray Lowder Elementary has 46.8% math proficiency and 45.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,492/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lincolnton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 735-2741
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #4 of 21
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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