Skip to main content

Average

#1908 of 2,648 schools in NC

T S Cooper Elementary

Elementary School · Gates County Schools

237 NC 32 South, Sunbury, NC 27979

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,908 of 2,648

In district

#4 of 5

Gates County Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around T S Cooper Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

T S Cooper Elementary

5.2/10

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

Gates County Senior High

7.5/10

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

Central Middle School

6.2/10

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

About T S Cooper Elementary

T S Cooper Elementary is a public elementary school in Sunbury, NC, part of Gates County Schools. T S Cooper Elementary serves approximately 161 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. T S Cooper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,908 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for T S Cooper Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 161 students, T S Cooper 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.

T S Cooper 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.

39% of students at T S Cooper 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,749
Chronic Absenteeism38.5%

T S Cooper Elementary — Students at T S Cooper Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 45.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 35 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
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
48.7%
2025
Math
63.2%
ELA
52.4%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How T S Cooper Elementary Compares

See how T S Cooper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
28th percentile in NC
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.5%

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

237 NC 32 South, Sunbury, NC 27979

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering T S Cooper Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hertford Grammar (rated 8.2/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Hertford), which scores notably higher. Another option is White Oak Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Edenton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Perquimans Central (rated 7.8/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Winfall), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sunbury, see our Sunbury schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Gates County Senior High Gatesville 5.6 mi 7.5
Central Middle School Gatesville 6.7 mi 6.2
Gatesville Elementary Gatesville 8.2 mi 5.9
Buckland Elementary Gates 9.0 mi 4.4
Chowan Middle Tyner 13.5 mi 5.3
Perquimans County Middle Winfall 15.9 mi 7.8
Perquimans Central Winfall 16.7 mi 7.8
D F Walker Elementary Edenton 18.1 mi 7.0
White Oak Elementary Edenton 18.2 mi 8.0
SUFFOLK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Suffolk 18.6 mi 5.5
Hertford Grammar Hertford 17.8 mi 8.2
Perquimans County High Hertford 18.2 mi 5.7
Colerain Elementary Colerain 18.0 mi 6.4
Forest Glen Middle Suffolk 20.1 mi 5.4
Southwestern Elementary Suffolk 19.8 mi 6.1
Booker T. Washington Elementary Suffolk 20.6 mi 3.4
Kilby Shores Elementary Suffolk 20.7 mi 6.0
Lakeland High Suffolk 20.7 mi 6.1
John F. Kennedy Middle Suffolk 21.6 mi 5.2
CHOWAN MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE SCHOOL Edenton 22.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27979 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,293

Median Home Value

$181,400

Population

1,060

College Educated

14.5%

Homeownership

78%

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

52.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Raleigh, NC 5.2
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover, NC 5.2
Children's Village Academy Kinston, NC 5.2
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington, NC 5.2
Hollister Elementary Leadership Academy Hollister, NC 5.2
SALISBURY ACADEMY Salisbury, NC 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about T S Cooper Elementary

What grades does T S Cooper Elementary serve?

T S Cooper Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend T S Cooper Elementary?

T S Cooper Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at T S Cooper Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at T S Cooper Elementary is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does T S Cooper Elementary rank in NC?

T S Cooper Elementary ranks #1,908 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is T S Cooper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

T S Cooper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 T S Cooper Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, T S Cooper Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is T S Cooper Elementary a charter school?

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

Is T S Cooper Elementary a Title I school?

No, T S Cooper Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for T S Cooper Elementary?

65.2% of students at T S Cooper 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Gates County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.5%

District

Gates County Schools
District Enrollment
1,448
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,749
District Rank
#4 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.