Excellent
#202 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
Valle Crucis Elementary
Elementary School · Watauga County Schools
2998 Broadstone Road, Sugar Grove, NC 28679
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sugar Grove
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#179 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 10
Watauga County Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Valle Crucis Elementary
Valle Crucis Elementary is a public elementary school in Sugar Grove, NC, part of the Watauga County Schools. The school serves approximately 345 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 92.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math, 2 points above the state average and 64% in reading/language arts, 11 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $64,833, where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Valle Crucis 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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Valle Crucis Elementary — Students at Valle Crucis Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 8.7/10.
How Valle Crucis Elementary Compares
See how Valle Crucis Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 64.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 65.4% (2025).
Location
2998 Broadstone Road, Sugar Grove, NC 28679
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valle Crucis Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banner Elk Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Banner Elk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mabel Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Zionville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sugar Grove, see our Sugar Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas | 3.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 6.1 mi | 9.8 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 7.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Mabel Elementary Zionville | 8.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 6.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 6.7 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 6.8 mi | — |
| Watauga High Boone | 7.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Watauga Innovation Academy Boone | 7.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock | 7.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone | 8.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Two Rivers Community School Boone | 9.2 mi | 5.4 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 10.4 mi | — |
| Newland Elementary Newland | 11.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 11.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park | 11.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Avery Middle Newland | 12.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Avery County High Newland | 12.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Parkway Elementary Boone | 12.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City | 14.9 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28679 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,833
Median Home Value
$282,400
Median Rent
$1,049/mo
Population
2,535
College Educated
35.6%
Homeownership
87.2%
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
44.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valle Crucis Elementary has a median household income of $64,833. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,400, with a median rent of $1,049/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte, NC | 8.6 |
| Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.6 |
| Gardners Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.6 |
| Hasty Elementary Thomasville, NC | 8.6 |
| Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC | 8.6 |
| Kingswood Elementary Cary, NC | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valle Crucis Elementary
What grades does Valle Crucis Elementary serve?
Valle Crucis Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Valle Crucis Elementary?
Valle Crucis Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valle Crucis Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Valle Crucis Elementary is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valle Crucis Elementary rank in NC?
Valle Crucis Elementary is ranked #202 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Valle Crucis Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valle Crucis Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Valle Crucis Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valle Crucis Elementary has 59.2% math proficiency and 63.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valle Crucis Elementary a charter school?
No, Valle Crucis Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valle Crucis Elementary a Title I school?
No, Valle Crucis Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valle Crucis Elementary?
45.5% of students at Valle Crucis 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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Watauga County
- Phone
- (828) 963-4712
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
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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