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Average

#1988 of 2,648 schools in NC

Washington Elementary

Elementary School · Cleveland County Schools

1907 Stony Point Road, Shelby, NC 28150

Enrollment

386

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,988 of 2,648

In Shelby

#12 of 17

public schools

In district

#22 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

School environment

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Washington Elementary

5.0/10

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

John Chavis Middle School

5.6/10

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

W B Beam Intermediate School

5.1/10

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

About Washington Elementary

Washington Elementary is a public elementary school in Shelby, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Washington Elementary serves approximately 386 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Washington Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,988 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Washington Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Washington 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.

34% of students at Washington Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism33.7%

Washington Elementary — Students at Washington Elementary score 49% 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

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
53.4%
ELA
39.5%
2025
Math
56.4%
ELA
41.6%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Washington Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
25th percentile in NC
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

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

1907 Stony Point Road, Shelby, NC 28150

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cherryville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Cherryville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bethware Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fallston Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Fallston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville 3.6 mi 5.6
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 4.1 mi 5.1
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville 4.1 mi 7.7
Cherryville High Cherryville 4.5 mi 7.5
Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain 6.0 mi 7.4
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 5.5 mi 8.5
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 5.5 mi 3.9
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 5.6 mi 6.3
Tryon Elementary Bessemer City 5.6 mi 4.8
CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale 6.5 mi 4.8
Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby 7.1 mi 6.3
Kings Mountain Intermediate Kings Mountain 7.6 mi 6.1
Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain 7.6 mi 6.6
North Elementary Kings Mountain 7.2 mi 5.9
Kings Mountain Middle Kings Mountain 7.7 mi 6.1
West Elementary Kings Mountain 7.7 mi 5.8
Fallston Elementary Fallston 7.7 mi 6.6
East Elementary Kings Mountain 7.9 mi 4.9
Turning Point Academy Shelby 7.5 mi 3.9
Cleveland Innovation Shelby 7.5 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,027

Median Home Value

$195,600

Median Rent

$793/mo

Population

26,447

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

68.3%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

47.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC 5.0
Central Elementary Jackson, NC 5.0
Cooper Academy Clayton, NC 5.0
Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls, NC 5.0
Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs, NC 5.0
Jacksonville Commons Elem Jacksonville, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washington Elementary

What grades does Washington Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Washington Elementary?

Washington Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 386 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Washington Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Washington Elementary rank in NC?

Washington Elementary ranks #1,988 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Washington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Washington Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Washington Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Washington Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Washington Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Washington Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.2% of students at Washington 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cleveland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

District

Cleveland County Schools
District Enrollment
14,458
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,540
District Rank
#22 of 28

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