Below Average
#2197 of 2,648 schools in NC
Upward Elementary
Elementary School · Henderson County Schools
45 Education Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,197 of 2,648
In Flat Rock
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#21 of 23
Henderson County Schools
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Upward Elementary
Elementary School in Flat Rock · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Upward Adventist School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Henderson County Career Academy
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Upward Elementary
Upward Elementary is a public elementary school in Flat Rock, NC, part of Henderson County Schools. Upward Elementary serves approximately 413 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Upward Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,197 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Upward Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 6.4
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Upward 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Upward Elementary — Students at Upward Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.8/10.
How Upward Elementary Compares
See how Upward Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
45 Education Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Upward Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saluda Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Saluda), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bruce Drysdale Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Flat Rock, see our Flat Rock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| UPWARD ADVENTIST SCHOOL Flat Rock | 0.3 mi | — |
| Henderson County Career Academy Flat Rock | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Henderson County Early College Flat Rock | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Hillandale Elementary East Flat Rock | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Flat Rock Middle East Flat Rock | 2.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Sugarloaf Elementary Hendersonville | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| LAKE HOUSE ACADEMY Flat Rock | 2.6 mi | — |
| THE WAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 3.2 mi | 3.1 |
| The Mountain Community Sch Hendersonville | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| MUD CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hendersonville | 3.3 mi | — |
| North Henderson High Hendersonville | 4.8 mi | 7.7 |
| FAITH-COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 4.1 mi | — |
| Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Apple Valley Middle Hendersonville | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hendersonville | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Hendersonville High Hendersonville | 4.4 mi | 7.8 |
| ST GERARD HOUSE (GROTTO 2) Hendersonville | 4.4 mi | — |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda | 4.9 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28731 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,882
Median Home Value
$361,700
Median Rent
$947/mo
Population
9,075
College Educated
37.1%
Homeownership
82.3%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Median Age
52.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avery's Creek Elementary Arden, NC | 4.5 |
| Berryhill School Charlotte, NC | 4.5 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 4.5 |
| Forest Pines Drive Elementary Raleigh, NC | 4.5 |
| Haw River Elementary Haw River, NC | 4.5 |
| Huntsville Elementary Madison, NC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Upward Elementary
What grades does Upward Elementary serve?
Upward Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Upward Elementary?
Upward Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Upward Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Upward Elementary is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Upward Elementary rank in NC?
Upward Elementary ranks #2,197 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Upward Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Upward Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Upward Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Upward Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Upward Elementary a charter school?
No, Upward Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Upward Elementary a Title I school?
No, Upward Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Upward Elementary?
99.3% of students at Upward 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 413
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Henderson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.2%
- Phone
- (828) 697-4764
Resources & Links
District
Henderson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,660
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,579
- District Rank
- #21 of 23
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