Average
#1185 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 45% in state
Tar River Elementary
Elementary School · Granville County Schools
2642 Philo White Rd, Franklinton, NC 27525
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Franklinton
#3 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#907 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 15
Granville County Schools
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Tar River Elementary
Tar River Elementary is a public elementary school located in the rural community of Franklinton, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 358 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, indicating a supportive learning environment. Tar River Elementary has 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the education and development of its young learners.
According to MySchoolScout's data, Tar River Elementary currently ranks at the 43rd percentile among schools in North Carolina, with an academic score of 5.1 out of 10. The school’s proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are at 47% and for Math are at 50%, showing areas where there is room for growth but also highlighting the dedication of teachers to help students succeed. Tar River Elementary is situated in a rural setting, surrounded by small-town charm and natural beauty.
This serene environment provides a tranquil backdrop for learning and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Tar River 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
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Tar River Elementary — Students at Tar River Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67%
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: 6.6/10.
How Tar River Elementary Compares
See how Tar River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 55.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47.8% (2025).
Location
2642 Philo White Rd, Franklinton, NC 27525
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tar River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richland Creek Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Wake Forest), which scores notably higher. Another option is Youngsville Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Youngsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklinton Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 7.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Franklinton, see our Franklinton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilton Elementary Franklinton | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Mount Energy Elementary Creedmoor | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| South Granville High Creedmoor | 6.1 mi | 4.2 |
| G. C. Hawley Middle Creedmoor | 6.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Long Mill Elementary Youngsville | 7.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Franklinton Elementary Franklinton | 7.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Franklinton Middle Franklinton | 7.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Granville Central High Stem | 7.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Wake Preparatory Academy Wake Forest | 9.7 mi | — |
| Granville Early College High Creedmoor | 8.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Richland Creek Elementary Wake Forest | 10.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Franklinton High Franklinton | 9.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Youngsville Elementary Youngsville | 10.4 mi | 8.8 |
| C. G. Credle Elementary Oxford | 11.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Granville Academy Oxford | 11.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Youngsville Academy Youngsville | 10.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Phoenix Academy Oxford | 11.4 mi | — |
| Cedar Creek Middle Youngsville | 10.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Falls Lake Academy Creedmoor | 9.6 mi | 5.1 |
| West Oxford Elementary Oxford | 11.9 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,847
Median Home Value
$258,300
Median Rent
$1,011/mo
Population
16,485
College Educated
26.7%
Homeownership
84.1%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tar River Elementary has a median household income of $68,847. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,300, with a median rent of $1,011/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford, NC | 6.7 |
| Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
| Bethany Elementary Reidsville, NC | 6.7 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 6.7 |
| Copeland Elementary Dobson, NC | 6.7 |
| Lead Mine Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tar River Elementary
What grades does Tar River Elementary serve?
Tar River Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Tar River Elementary?
Tar River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 358 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tar River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Tar River Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tar River Elementary rank in NC?
Tar River Elementary is ranked #1185 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Tar River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Tar River Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Tar River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tar River Elementary has 49.8% math proficiency and 46.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tar River Elementary a charter school?
No, Tar River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tar River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Tar River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tar River Elementary?
67.0% of students at Tar River 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
- High (3,564/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Franklinton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 358
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Granville County
- Phone
- (919) 528-2767
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Granville County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,553
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,027
- District Rank
- #5 of 15
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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