Below Average
#2206 of 2,648 schools in NC
Sugar Loaf Elementary
Elementary School · Alexander County Schools
3600 NC Hwy 16N, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Taylorsville
#7 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,355 of 1,474
In district
#10 of 11
Alexander County Schools
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Sugar Loaf Elementary
Sugar Loaf Elementary is a charming rural school nestled in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 194 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, with twelve full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Sugar Loaf shows areas where growth is possible, with 45% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and 58% doing so in Math.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks at the 23rd percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating there's room for improvement but also opportunities for development. Sugar Loaf Elementary is part of Alexander County and offers a close-knit community feel, with its rural setting providing a peaceful environment conducive to learning. The school aims to support students in their educational journey, focusing on areas where they can thrive and grow academically.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 194 students, Sugar Loaf Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Sugar Loaf 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Sugar Loaf Elementary — Students at Sugar Loaf Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
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: 3.3/10.
How Sugar Loaf Elementary Compares
See how Sugar Loaf Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42.4% (2025).
Location
3600 NC Hwy 16N, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sugar Loaf Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moravian Falls Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Moravian Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilkesboro Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Wilkesboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hiddenite Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Hiddenite), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Taylorsville, see our Taylorsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville Elementary Taylorsville | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Alexander Central High Taylorsville | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Alexander Early College Taylorsville | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| East Alexander Middle Hiddenite | 4.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville | 5.7 mi | 4.8 |
| MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville | 8.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Hiddenite Elementary Hiddenite | 7.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls | 8.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Moravian Falls Elementary School Moravian Falls | 8.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro | 9.7 mi | 6.8 |
| NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover | 10.3 mi | — |
| Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville | 10.3 mi | 4.4 |
| West Alexander Middle Taylorsville | 9.5 mi | 7.9 |
| ECKERD - BOOMER CAMPUS Boomer | 9.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Wilkesboro Elementary School Wilkesboro | 11.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Wilkes Early College High School Wilkesboro | 11.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Boomer-Ferguson Elementary School Boomer | 10.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Stony Point Elementary Stony Point | 10.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville | 11.4 mi | 7.3 |
| HARVEST TIME CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilkesboro | 12.9 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28681 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,343
Median Home Value
$188,000
Median Rent
$719/mo
Population
26,117
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
80.7%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sugar Loaf Elementary has a median household income of $61,343. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,000, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Coleridge Elementary School Ramseur, NC | 4.8 |
| Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 4.8 |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville, NC | 4.8 |
| American Leadership Academy Charlotte Charlotte, NC | 4.7 |
| Glade Creek Elementary Ennice, NC | 4.7 |
| Mount Pleasant Elementary School Ferguson, NC | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sugar Loaf Elementary
What grades does Sugar Loaf Elementary serve?
Sugar Loaf Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Sugar Loaf Elementary?
Sugar Loaf Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sugar Loaf Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sugar Loaf Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sugar Loaf Elementary rank in NC?
Sugar Loaf Elementary is ranked #2206 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Sugar Loaf Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sugar Loaf Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Sugar Loaf Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sugar Loaf Elementary has 57.5% math proficiency and 45.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sugar Loaf Elementary a charter school?
No, Sugar Loaf Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sugar Loaf Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sugar Loaf Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sugar Loaf Elementary?
98.5% of students at Sugar Loaf 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
- Elevated (1,196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Taylorsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 194
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Alexander County
- Phone
- (828) 632-2192
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alexander County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,365
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,929
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
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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