Average
#1098 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 41% in state
St James Elementary
Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools
1774 St James Church Road, Denver, NC 28037
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,098 of 2,648
In Denver
#6 of 7
public schools
In district
#13 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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St James Elementary
Elementary School in Denver · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Lake Preparatory Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lincoln Charter School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About St James Elementary
St James Elementary is a public elementary school in Denver, NC, part of Lincoln County Schools. St James Elementary serves approximately 665 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. St James Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,098 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for St James Elementary show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
St James 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
St James Elementary — Students at St James Elementary score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How St James Elementary Compares
See how St James Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1774 St James Church Road, Denver, NC 28037
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St James Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rock Springs Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodland Heights Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Mooresville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Catawba Springs Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Lake Preparatory Academy Denver | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Charter School Denver | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| DENVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver | 1.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Catawba Springs Elementary Denver | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| East Lincoln High Denver | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Rock Springs Elementary Denver | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| East Lincoln Middle Iron Station | 4.4 mi | 6.3 |
| SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 6.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 7.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Barnette Elementary Huntersville | 7.8 mi | 6.7 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAKE NORMAN Huntersville | 7.3 mi | — |
| Woodland Heights Elementary Mooresville | 7.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Woodland Heights Middle Mooresville | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Francis Bradley Middle Huntersville | 8.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Mountain Island Charter School Mt. Holly | 8.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Community Public Charter Stanley | 8.9 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,779
Median Home Value
$455,700
Median Rent
$1,126/mo
Population
27,128
College Educated
45.7%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
45
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamance Community School Haw River, NC | 6.8 |
| Bailey Elementary Bailey, NC | 6.8 |
| Benson Elementary Benson, NC | 6.8 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 6.8 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy, NC | 6.8 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas, NC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St James Elementary
What grades does St James Elementary serve?
St James Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend St James Elementary?
St James Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 665 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St James Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at St James Elementary is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does St James Elementary rank in NC?
St James Elementary ranks #1,098 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is St James Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
St James Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 St James Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, St James Elementary has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is St James Elementary a charter school?
No, St James Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is St James Elementary a Title I school?
No, St James Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St James Elementary?
28.6% of students at St James 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 665
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.9%
- Phone
- (704) 736-1958
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #13 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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