Average
#1824 of 2,648 schools in NC
Sawmills Elementary
Elementary School · Caldwell County Schools
4436 Sawmills School Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Granite Falls
#6 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,220 of 1,474
In district
#15 of 23
Caldwell County Schools
Equity
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Sawmills Elementary
Sawmills Elementary in Granite Falls, North Carolina is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 336 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, Sawmills offers a supportive learning environment with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance currently places it in the 26th percentile among North Carolina schools, with 44% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in ELA/Reading and 45% doing so in Math.
While there is room for growth, Sawmills focuses on developing its students' skills through dedicated educators and a nurturing atmosphere. Situated in a mid-size suburb, Sawmills Elementary benefits from the community's supportive environment, making it a welcoming place for families looking for quality elementary education in Granite Falls.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Sawmills Elementary — Students at Sawmills Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.8/10.
How Sawmills Elementary Compares
See how Sawmills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 51% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 44.2% (2025).
Location
4436 Sawmills School Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sawmills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ray Childers Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dudley Shoals Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Baton Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Granite Falls, see our Granite Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Caldwell High Hudson | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Hudson Middle Hudson | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Hudson Elementary Hudson | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Whitnel Elementary Lenoir | 5.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Ray Childers Elementary Hickory | 5.5 mi | 8.4 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 5.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls | 5.5 mi | 7.9 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 6.7 mi | 4.6 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 7.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir | 6.7 mi | 5.2 |
| William Lenoir Middle Lenoir | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Hibriten High Lenoir | 7.4 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,713
Median Home Value
$197,800
Median Rent
$808/mo
Population
20,400
College Educated
18.2%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sawmills Elementary has a median household income of $65,713. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,800, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Angier Elementary Angier, NC | 5.6 |
| B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC | 5.6 |
| Carver Heights Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 5.6 |
| Central Elementary Barco, NC | 5.6 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton, NC | 5.6 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sawmills Elementary
What grades does Sawmills Elementary serve?
Sawmills Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sawmills Elementary?
Sawmills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sawmills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sawmills Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sawmills Elementary rank in NC?
Sawmills Elementary is ranked #1824 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Sawmills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sawmills Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Sawmills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sawmills Elementary has 45.2% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sawmills Elementary a charter school?
No, Sawmills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sawmills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sawmills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sawmills Elementary?
99.1% of students at Sawmills 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,178/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Granite Falls). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 336
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Caldwell County
- Phone
- (828) 396-2610
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caldwell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,665
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,066
- District Rank
- #15 of 23
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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