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Needs Improvement

#2624 of 2,648 schools in NC

Sterling Elementary

Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

9601 China Grove Church Rd, Pineville, NC 28134

Enrollment

711

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

2.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,624 of 2,648

In Pineville

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#177 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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Sterling Elementary

2.5/10

Elementary School in Pineville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harper Middle College High

7.6/10

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

Pineville Elementary

7.1/10

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

About Sterling Elementary

Sterling Elementary is a public elementary school in Pineville, NC, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Sterling Elementary serves approximately 711 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sterling Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,624 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Sterling Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.8 pts below district
  • This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Sterling 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 Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,198
Chronic Absenteeism31.4%

Sterling Elementary — Students at Sterling Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 26.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
82%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
20%
ELA
23%
2013
Math
19%
ELA
21%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
16.9%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
40.5%
ELA
22.7%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Sterling Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.5/10
1th percentile in NC
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

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

9601 China Grove Church Rd, Pineville, NC 28134

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beverly Woods Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Academy of International Languages (rated 8.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pineville Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pineville, see our Pineville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Harper Middle College High Charlotte 1.7 mi 7.6
Pineville Elementary Pineville 1.7 mi 7.1
South Mecklenburg High School Charlotte 1.5 mi 6.6
CEDARWOOD ACADEMY Charlotte 2.1 mi 5.4
Quail Hollow Middle Charlotte 1.8 mi 4.5
Smithfield Elementary Charlotte 1.9 mi 6.9
South Academy of International Languages Charlotte 2.4 mi 8.1
SOUTH CHARLOTTE BAPTIST ACADEMY Pineville 2.4 mi 6.5
Huntingtowne Farms Elementary Charlotte 2.3 mi 5.7
Starmount Academy of Excellence Charlotte 2.4 mi 5.7
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Charlotte 2.4 mi 4.5
MANUS ACADEMY Charlotte 2.6 mi 7.0
Montclaire Elementary Charlotte 3.3 mi 4.5
Movement School Southwest Charlotte 3.3 mi 3.8
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte 3.4 mi 5.8
COMENIUS SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEADERSHIP Fort Mill 3.4 mi 7.0
Nations Ford Elementary Charlotte 3.6 mi 4.4
Beverly Woods Elementary Charlotte 3.2 mi 8.4
Collinswood Language Academy Charlotte 3.8 mi 6.4
FUSION ACADEMY AND LEARNING CENTER - CHARLOTTE Charlotte 3.7 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28134 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,947

Median Home Value

$336,200

Median Rent

$1,694/mo

Population

13,121

College Educated

45.2%

Homeownership

64.1%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
KIPP Charlotte Charlotte, NC 2.5
Mountain Island Lake Academy Charlotte, NC 2.6
Hidden Valley Elementary Charlotte, NC 2.7
Hurley Elementary Salisbury, NC 2.3
Devonshire Elementary Charlotte, NC 2.2
North Hills Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 2.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Elementary

What grades does Sterling Elementary serve?

Sterling Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sterling Elementary?

Sterling Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 711 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Elementary rank in NC?

Sterling Elementary ranks #2,624 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sterling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 Sterling Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sterling Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sterling Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sterling Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.6% of students at Sterling 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
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#177 of 179

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