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Average

#1535 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

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,535 of 2,648

In Taylorsville

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#10 of 11

Alexander County Schools

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Sugar Loaf Elementary

5.9/10

Elementary School in Taylorsville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Taylorsville Elementary

7.8/10

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

Alexander Central High

7.1/10

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

About Sugar Loaf Elementary

Sugar Loaf Elementary is a public elementary school in Taylorsville, NC, part of Alexander County Schools. Sugar Loaf Elementary serves approximately 194 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sugar Loaf Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,535 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Sugar Loaf Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 194 students, Sugar Loaf Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sugar Loaf Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,929
Chronic Absenteeism16.5%

Sugar Loaf Elementary — Students at Sugar Loaf Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.7% (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
92%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
60.4%
ELA
50.7%
2025
Math
57.7%
ELA
43%

* 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 Sugar Loaf Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in NC
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

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

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 9.0/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Moravian Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Taylorsville Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stony Point Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Stony Point), 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 7.8
Alexander Central High Taylorsville 3.7 mi 7.1
Alexander Early College Taylorsville 4.2 mi 8.4
East Alexander Middle Hiddenite 4.8 mi 7.2
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville 5.7 mi 6.5
MILLERSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Taylorsville 8.1 mi 4.0
Hiddenite Elementary Hiddenite 7.2 mi 5.1
Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls 8.6 mi 6.9
Moravian Falls Elementary School Moravian Falls 8.8 mi 9.0
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro 9.7 mi 7.0
NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover 10.3 mi
Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville 10.3 mi 6.5
West Alexander Middle Taylorsville 9.5 mi 8.4
ECKERD - BOOMER CAMPUS Boomer 9.4 mi 6.4
Wilkesboro Elementary School Wilkesboro 11.3 mi 6.5
Wilkes Early College High School Wilkesboro 11.4 mi 8.0
Boomer-Ferguson Elementary School Boomer 10.8 mi 5.4
Stony Point Elementary Stony Point 10.6 mi 7.0
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 11.4 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Coleridge Elementary School Ramseur, NC 5.9
Gatesville Elementary Gatesville, NC 5.9
Manchester Elementary Spring Lake, NC 5.9
Pisgah Elementary Candler, NC 5.9
Whitnel Elementary Lenoir, NC 5.9
Coker-Wimberly Elementary Battleboro, NC 6.0

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 ranks #1,535 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sugar Loaf Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sugar Loaf Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Sugar Loaf Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sugar Loaf Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

District

Alexander County Schools
District Enrollment
4,365
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,929
District Rank
#10 of 11

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