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Excellent

#121 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 5% in state

Thanksgiving Elementary

Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools

1161 Lynch Rd, Selma, NC 27576

Enrollment

813

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#121 of 2,648

In Selma

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Thanksgiving Elementary

8.8/10

Elementary School in Selma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

River Dell Elementary

6.4/10

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

Archer Lodge Middle

6.5/10

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

About Thanksgiving Elementary

Thanksgiving Elementary is a public elementary school in Selma, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Thanksgiving Elementary serves approximately 813 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Thanksgiving Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #121 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Thanksgiving Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Thanksgiving 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 Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,352
Chronic Absenteeism18.8%

Thanksgiving Elementary — Students at Thanksgiving Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.7% (multi-year average, 2022-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2022-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2022
Math
61.9%
ELA
55.3%
2025
Math
67.9%
ELA
64.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Thanksgiving Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.8/10
96th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

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

1161 Lynch Rd, Selma, NC 27576

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thanksgiving Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverwood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Clayton), a more accessible option. Another option is Powhatan Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Clayton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Corinth-Holders Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Zebulon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Selma, see our Selma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
River Dell Elementary Clayton 1.6 mi 6.4
Archer Lodge Middle Wendell 3.8 mi 6.5
Corinth Holders High Wendell 4.6 mi 6.4
Powhatan Elementary Clayton 4.4 mi 6.5
Corinth-Holders Elementary Zebulon 5.3 mi 6.5
East Clayton Elementary Clayton 4.4 mi 4.8
Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills 5.6 mi 5.1
STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield 5.7 mi 4.7
Riverwood Elementary Clayton 5.9 mi 7.7
Riverwood Middle Clayton 6.0 mi 5.0
American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh 7.7 mi
Selma Middle School Selma 8.0 mi 4.0
Selma Elementary Selma 8.5 mi 5.3
Cooper Academy Clayton 7.1 mi 5.0
Neuse Charter School Smithfield 8.8 mi 5.5
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield 8.9 mi 6.1
Smithfield Middle Smithfield 9.0 mi 3.9
JCPS Virtual Academy Smithfield 9.0 mi 4.9
Wendell Elementary Wendell 9.1 mi 5.1
Clayton High Clayton 7.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,044

Median Home Value

$178,200

Median Rent

$874/mo

Population

20,104

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

69.8%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

36.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baucom Elementary Apex, NC 8.8
Coastal Elementary Holly Ridge, NC 8.8
Cox Mill Elementary Concord, NC 8.8
Fairview Elementary Fairview, NC 8.8
Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs, NC 8.8
Masonboro Elementary Wilmington, NC 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thanksgiving Elementary

What grades does Thanksgiving Elementary serve?

Thanksgiving Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Thanksgiving Elementary?

Thanksgiving Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 813 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thanksgiving Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Thanksgiving Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thanksgiving Elementary rank in NC?

Thanksgiving Elementary ranks #121 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Thanksgiving Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thanksgiving Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Thanksgiving Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thanksgiving Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025).

Is Thanksgiving Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Thanksgiving Elementary a Title I school?

No, Thanksgiving Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thanksgiving Elementary?

99.6% of students at Thanksgiving 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

District

Johnston County Public Schools
District Enrollment
37,289
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,352
District Rank
#4 of 48

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