Average
#1502 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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Flat Rock
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,070 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 23
Henderson County Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Upward Elementary
Upward Elementary is a rural public elementary school located in Flat Rock, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 413 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, Upward Elementary provides personalized attention to each child. The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has 33 full-time equivalent teachers committed to their students' education.
Upward Elementary's academic performance shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.9 out of 10. Students are at or above proficiency in 34% of English Language Arts (ELA) tests and 40% of math tests on average across all grades. While the school is focusing on student development, it remains committed to providing a nurturing environment that supports its students' growth and learning needs.
Located near Flat Rock, Upward Elementary benefits from the close-knit rural community nearby.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Upward 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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Upward Elementary — Students at Upward Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 6.1/10.
How Upward Elementary Compares
See how Upward Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 44.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 34.9% (2025).
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 9.2/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Saluda), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bruce Drysdale Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 4.3 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 | 7.0 |
| Henderson County Early College Flat Rock | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillandale Elementary East Flat Rock | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Flat Rock Middle East Flat Rock | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Sugarloaf Elementary Hendersonville | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
| LAKE HOUSE ACADEMY Flat Rock | 2.6 mi | — |
| THE WAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 3.2 mi | 3.5 |
| The Mountain Community Sch Hendersonville | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| MUD CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hendersonville | 3.3 mi | — |
| North Henderson High Hendersonville | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| FAITH-COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 4.1 mi | — |
| Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville | 4.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Apple Valley Middle Hendersonville | 4.9 mi | 6.0 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hendersonville | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Hendersonville High Hendersonville | 4.4 mi | 5.1 |
| ST GERARD HOUSE (GROTTO 2) Hendersonville | 4.4 mi | — |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda | 4.9 mi | 9.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Upward Elementary has a median household income of $65,882. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $361,700, with a median rent of $947/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville, NC | 6.2 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC | 6.2 |
| Brooks Global Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.2 |
| Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton, NC | 6.2 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia, NC | 6.2 |
| Cooleemee Elementary Cooleemee, NC | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1502 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Upward Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Upward Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Upward Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Upward Elementary has 40.1% math proficiency and 33.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (689/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 697-4764
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Henderson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,660
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,579
- District Rank
- #12 of 23
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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