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Very Good

#804 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 30% in state

Sandy Ridge Elementary

Elementary School · Union County Public Schools

10101 Waxhaw Manor Drive, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Enrollment

571

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waxhaw

#2 of 11

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#662 of 1,474

In district

#15 of 52

Union County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Sandy Ridge Elementary

Sandy Ridge Elementary serves 571 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Waxhaw, North Carolina. This highly-rated public school boasts an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #123 out of 2,661 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile. The school's academic performance is particularly strong, with 87% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an exceptional 95% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, Sandy Ridge maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8 to 1, allowing for meaningful classroom interactions and individualized attention. Students at Sandy Ridge benefit from being part of the Union County school system, known for its educational excellence. The school community reflects the broader neighborhood's commitment to education, with 57% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area's strong economic foundation, with a median household income of $144,544 and low poverty rate of 4.4%, provides additional support for student success. Sandy Ridge Elementary is situated in Waxhaw's thriving suburban environment, where families value educational achievement and community engagement. The school's location on Waxhaw Manor Drive places it at the heart of an established neighborhood that combines small-town charm with proximity to Charlotte's metropolitan amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.7%
Math vs. State Avg+31.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.1 pts
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,010

Sandy Ridge Elementary — Students at Sandy Ridge Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

5.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 90.6%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 84.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
95.4%
ELA
87.3%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Sandy Ridge Elementary Compares

See how Sandy Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
70th percentile in NC
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

10101 Waxhaw Manor Drive, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sandy Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Indian Land Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Indian Land), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Marvin Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Marvin), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Elon Park Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waxhaw, see our Waxhaw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Marvin Ridge High Waxhaw 0.6 mi 6.9
Marvin Ridge Middle Waxhaw 0.6 mi 6.1
Marvin Elementary Marvin 2.2 mi 6.6
Kensington Elementary Waxhaw 2.2 mi 6.4
THALES ACADEMY WAXHAW K-5 Waxhaw 2.8 mi 6.0
Indian Land Intermediate Indian Land 3.1 mi 6.0
Indian Land Middle Indian Land 3.2 mi 5.5
Rea View Elementary Waxhaw 3.7 mi 6.1
Indian Land Elementary Indian Land 3.2 mi 8.0
KIDS R KIDS ACADEMY AT BLAKENEY Charlotte 4.2 mi
Cuthbertson Middle Waxhaw 3.5 mi 6.0
KIDDIE ACADEMY OF CHARLOTTE-BLAKENEY Charlotte 4.3 mi
Cuthbertson High Waxhaw 3.6 mi 6.1
WEDDINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Weddington 4.3 mi
Ardrey Kell High School Charlotte 4.5 mi 6.0
Elon Park Elementary Charlotte 4.5 mi 6.6
OMNI MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charlotte 4.8 mi 7.1
Community House Middle Charlotte 4.9 mi 6.8
Indian Land High Lancaster 5.2 mi 5.9
South Providence Waxhaw 4.7 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28173 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$146,196

Median Home Value

$558,500

Median Rent

$1,700/mo

Population

63,503

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

89.4%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.7%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sandy Ridge Elementary has a median household income of $146,196. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,500, with a median rent of $1,700/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC 7.4
Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock, NC 7.4
Brogden Primary Dudley, NC 7.4
Carpenter Elementary Cary, NC 7.4
Cumberland Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC 7.4
Denton Elementary Denton, NC 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sandy Ridge Elementary

What grades does Sandy Ridge Elementary serve?

Sandy Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sandy Ridge Elementary?

Sandy Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 571 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandy Ridge Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sandy Ridge Elementary is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sandy Ridge Elementary rank in NC?

Sandy Ridge Elementary is ranked #804 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sandy Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandy Ridge Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Sandy Ridge Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandy Ridge Elementary has 90.6% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sandy Ridge Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sandy Ridge Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sandy Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandy Ridge Elementary?

5.6% of students at Sandy Ridge 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (486/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waxhaw). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
571
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
5.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Union County Public Schools
District Enrollment
41,687
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,340
District Rank
#15 of 52

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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