Average
#1650 of 2,648 schools in NC
Startown Elementary
Elementary School · Catawba County Schools
4119 Startown Road, Newton, NC 28658
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#7 of 9
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,134 of 1,474
In district
#15 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Startown Elementary
Startown Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Newton, North Carolina, located in Catawba County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 534 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Startown Elementary offers a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.
The school's academic performance shows that 61% of students are proficient in math and 50% are proficient in ELA/Reading, indicating areas where there is room for growth but also strong foundational skills. According to the MySchoolScout rating system, Startown Elementary scores a 5.2 out of 10 overall and ranks at #1514 among North Carolina's 2661 schools. The academic score of 6.0/10 reflects the school’s efforts in focusing on student development.
Startown Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb, providing students with a comfortable mix of urban amenities and suburban charm.
Score Breakdown
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Startown Elementary — Students at Startown Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 5.2/10.
How Startown Elementary Compares
See how Startown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 62.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 50.7% (2025).
Location
4119 Startown Road, Newton, NC 28658
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Startown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Newton Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maiden Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Maiden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Newton Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton | 3.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Discovery High School Newton | 3.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 4.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Blackburn Elementary Newton | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 4.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 5.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 5.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 5.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 6.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 7.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Newton-Conover Middle Conover | 6.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 5.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Jacobs Fork Middle Newton | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Shuford Elementary Conover | 6.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 7.5 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,805
Median Home Value
$192,500
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
25,681
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Startown Elementary has a median household income of $67,805. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Aversboro Elementary Garner, NC | 5.9 |
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City, NC | 5.9 |
| Bessemer Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.9 |
| Billingsville Elementary Charlotte, NC | 5.9 |
| Bladenboro Primary Bladenboro, NC | 5.9 |
| Edwin M Holt Elementary Burlington, NC | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Startown Elementary
What grades does Startown Elementary serve?
Startown Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Startown Elementary?
Startown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 534 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Startown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Startown Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Startown Elementary rank in NC?
Startown Elementary is ranked #1650 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Startown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Startown Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Startown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Startown Elementary has 60.7% math proficiency and 50.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Startown Elementary a charter school?
No, Startown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Startown Elementary a Title I school?
No, Startown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Startown Elementary?
59.0% of students at Startown 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 (2,322/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 534
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (828) 464-1257
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #15 of 27
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.
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