Average
#1838 of 2,648 schools in NC
St James Elementary
Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools
1774 St James Church Road, Denver, NC 28037
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#4 of 7
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,225 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About St James Elementary
St James Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Denver, North Carolina. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 665 students. The student-teacher ratio at St James Elementary is 17.1:1, with 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
The school's academic performance reflects a strong focus on foundational skills. According to MySchoolScout ratings, St James Elementary scores an 8.0 out of 10 for academics, placing it at the 52nd percentile among North Carolina schools, with state rankings at #1292 out of 2661 schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 62% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/Reading, while 72% do so in Math.
These scores indicate that the school is committed to academic development and has room for growth. St James Elementary is situated near a small town in a rural area, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, St James Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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St James Elementary — Students at St James Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
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 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: 5.0/10.
How St James Elementary Compares
See how St James Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 75.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 60.4% (2025).
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. Woodland Heights Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Mooresville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Barnette Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Huntersville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Catawba Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 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 | 4.1 |
| Lincoln Charter School Denver | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
| East Lincoln High Denver | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Rock Springs Elementary Denver | 3.1 mi | 5.9 |
| East Lincoln Middle Iron Station | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| North Lincoln Middle Denver | 6.1 mi | 5.4 |
| North Lincoln High Lincolnton | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton | 7.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton | 7.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Barnette Elementary Huntersville | 7.8 mi | 7.3 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAKE NORMAN Huntersville | 7.3 mi | — |
| Woodland Heights Elementary Mooresville | 7.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Woodland Heights Middle Mooresville | 7.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Francis Bradley Middle Huntersville | 8.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mountain Island Charter School Mt. Holly | 8.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Community Public Charter Stanley | 8.9 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding St James Elementary has a median household income of $109,779. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,700, with a median rent of $1,126/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia, NC | 5.6 |
| Carver Heights Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 5.6 |
| Central Elementary Albemarle, NC | 5.6 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 5.6 |
| Cliffdale Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 5.6 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde, NC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #1838 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is St James Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
St James 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 St James Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St James Elementary has 72.4% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Elevated (797/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 736-1958
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #12 of 21
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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