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Below Average

#2290 of 2,648 schools in NC

Sparta Elementary

Elementary School · Alleghany County Schools

450 N Main Street, Sparta, NC 28675

Enrollment

560

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,290 of 2,648

In Sparta

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Alleghany County Schools

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Sparta Elementary

4.2/10

Elementary School in Sparta · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alleghany High

8.0/10

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

Independence Middle

7.4/10

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

About Sparta Elementary

Sparta Elementary is a public elementary school in Sparta, NC, part of Alleghany County Schools. Sparta Elementary serves approximately 560 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Sparta Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,290 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Sparta Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Sparta Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

33% of students at Sparta Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,685
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

Sparta Elementary — Students at Sparta Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 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
90%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
34%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
39.8%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
41.7%
ELA
37.9%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Sparta Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
14th percentile in NC
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

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

450 N Main Street, Sparta, NC 28675

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparta Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairview Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Galax), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fries Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Fries), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mountain Park Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby State Road), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sparta, see our Sparta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Alleghany High Sparta 0.3 mi 8.0
Independence Middle Independence 7.8 mi 7.4
Independence Elementary Independence 7.9 mi 7.8
Grayson County High Independence 7.8 mi 9.3
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 8.1 mi 4.7
Piney Creek Elementary Piney Creek 10.3 mi 5.1
Traphill Elementary School Traphill 12.5 mi 6.4
Fairview Elementary Galax 13.0 mi 9.8
North Wilkes High School Hays 15.8 mi 7.7
OAK HILL ACADEMY Mouth Of Wilson 13.3 mi 8.2
Galax Middle Galax 14.9 mi 7.5
Galax High Galax 15.0 mi 8.9
Galax Elementary Galax 15.1 mi 7.0
North Wilkes Middle School North Wilkesboro 17.2 mi 7.5
Fries Elementary Fries 16.5 mi 8.9
Mountain View Elementary School Hays 18.1 mi 4.5
Mulberry Elementary School North Wilkesboro 19.1 mi 8.5
Mountain Park Elementary State Road 17.9 mi 8.7
Speedwell Elementary Wytheville 21.4 mi 7.4
Gladeville Elementary Galax 19.0 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28675 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,137

Median Home Value

$202,100

Median Rent

$717/mo

Population

6,702

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

76.2%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

52

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arthur W Edwards Elementary Havelock, NC 4.2
Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 4.2
Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville, NC 4.2
Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount, NC 4.2
Hall-Woodward Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 4.2
Highland Renaissance Academy Charlotte, NC 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparta Elementary

What grades does Sparta Elementary serve?

Sparta Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Sparta Elementary?

Sparta Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparta Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sparta Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sparta Elementary rank in NC?

Sparta Elementary ranks #2,290 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sparta Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparta Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Sparta Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sparta Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sparta Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sparta Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sparta Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

79.8% of students at Sparta 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Alleghany County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

District

Alleghany County Schools
District Enrollment
1,400
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,685
District Rank
#4 of 4

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