Average
#1840 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
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
711
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pineville
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,227 of 1,474
In district
#124 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Sterling Elementary
Sterling Elementary is a regular public school located in Pineville, North Carolina, within Mecklenburg County. The school serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade and has an enrollment of 711 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1. There are 39 full-time equivalent teachers at the school to support the diverse needs of its student population.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Sterling Elementary is ranked in the lower tenth percentile among North Carolina schools, with an academic score of 1.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2396 out of 2661 schools. In terms of proficiency levels, only 20% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/reading, while 32% are proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to student development and continuous improvement.
Sterling Elementary is situated in a large city setting, providing ample opportunities for community engagement and resources. The neighborhood around the school lacks specific data but offers a vibrant environment where students can grow and thrive with ongoing support from educators and families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sterling Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Sterling Elementary — Students at Sterling Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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
↑ 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: 7.8/10.
How Sterling Elementary Compares
See how Sterling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 40.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 22.5% (2025).
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. Collinswood Language Academy (rated 8.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montclaire Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pineville Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pineville, see our Pineville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sterling Elementary has a median household income of $82,947. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,200, with a median rent of $1,694/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia, 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 |
| Fairview Heights Elementary Hamlet, NC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #1840 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Sterling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sterling 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 Sterling Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Elementary has 32.2% math proficiency and 20.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (9,497/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pineville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (980) 343-3636
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #124 of 179
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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