Average
#1629 of 2,648 schools in NC
Smith Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
1101 Maxwell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Raleigh
#65 of 98
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,121 of 1,474
In district
#144 of 194
Wake County Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Smith Elementary
Smith Elementary is a public elementary school located in Raleigh, North Carolina, within Wake County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 521 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. Smith Elementary boasts 47 full-time equivalent teachers who support the educational needs of its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Smith Elementary places it in the 25th percentile among North Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.0 out of 10. In terms of standardized test scores, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 40% demonstrate proficiency or better in math. Smith Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, providing a mix of residential and commercial environments for its community.
The school focuses on student development and continuous improvement to help all learners reach their full potential.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Smith Elementary — Students at Smith Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.5%
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: 5.8/10.
How Smith Elementary Compares
See how Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 43.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 36.5% (2025).
Location
1101 Maxwell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smith Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vandora Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. Another option is RISE Southeast Raleigh Charter (rated 8.7/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Creech Road Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Raleigh, see our Raleigh schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OAK CITY ACADEMY Garner | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| WAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Garner High Garner | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Longleaf School of the Arts Raleigh | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Vandora Springs Elementary Garner | 1.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Timber Drive Elementary Garner | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| North Garner Middle Garner | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Raleigh | 2.9 mi | 8.1 |
| RISE Southeast Raleigh Charter Raleigh | 2.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Aversboro Elementary Garner | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Fuller Elementary Raleigh | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Creech Road Elementary Garner | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Carnage Middle Raleigh | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Washington Elementary Raleigh | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Centennial Campus Middle Raleigh | 3.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Vance Elementary Raleigh | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Southeast Raleigh High Raleigh | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Southeast Raleigh Elementary Raleigh | 4.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Wake High School Raleigh | 4.2 mi | 5.2 |
| KING'S TOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh | 4.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,939
Median Home Value
$347,000
Median Rent
$1,496/mo
Population
53,835
College Educated
48.1%
Homeownership
60.9%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
34.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smith Elementary has a median household income of $87,939. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,000, with a median rent of $1,496/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Bolivia Elementary Bolivia, NC | 6.0 |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary, NC | 6.0 |
| Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 6.0 |
| Charles H. Parker Academic Center Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smith Elementary
What grades does Smith Elementary serve?
Smith Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Smith Elementary?
Smith Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 521 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Smith Elementary is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smith Elementary rank in NC?
Smith Elementary is ranked #1629 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Smith Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith Elementary has 39.5% math proficiency and 34.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smith Elementary a charter school?
No, Smith Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smith Elementary a Title I school?
No, Smith Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith Elementary?
68.5% of students at Smith 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 (3,315/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Raleigh). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 521
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 662-2458
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #144 of 194
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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