Very Good
#879 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 33% in state
Whitnel Elementary
Elementary School · Caldwell County Schools
1425 Berkley Street SW, Lenoir, NC 28645
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lenoir
#2 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#719 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 23
Caldwell County Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Whitnel Elementary
Whitnel Elementary is a regular public school located in Lenoir, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 267 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, Whitnel provides a supportive learning environment with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a small city setting, offering a close-knit community feel.
Whitnel Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks 39th percentile among North Carolina schools, placing it at #1628 out of 2661 schools statewide. Academically, the school focuses on student development with 37% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 39% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While there is room for academic growth, Whitnel Elementary continues to nurture a supportive educational environment.
Whitnel Elementary's setting in Lenoir provides students with access to local amenities and community resources, fostering a strong sense of belonging within the school’s small city surroundings.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Whitnel Elementary — Students at Whitnel Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
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: 7.5/10.
How Whitnel Elementary Compares
See how Whitnel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 47.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37.9% (2025).
Location
1425 Berkley Street SW, Lenoir, NC 28645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whitnel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Baton Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Davenport A+ School (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Granite Falls Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lenoir, see our Lenoir schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport A+ School Lenoir | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Lower Creek Elementary Lenoir | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Horizons Elementary Lenoir | 2.6 mi | — |
| William Lenoir Middle Lenoir | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Hibriten High Lenoir | 2.8 mi | 4.0 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Valmead Elementary Lenoir | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Hudson Elementary Hudson | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Hudson Middle Hudson | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| West Caldwell High Lenoir | 3.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Gamewell Elementary Lenoir | 4.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Gamewell Middle Lenoir | 4.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 5.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| South Caldwell High Hudson | 6.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir | 5.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir | 7.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 7.5 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28645 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,529
Median Home Value
$157,800
Median Rent
$726/mo
Population
46,237
College Educated
17.3%
Homeownership
71.7%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
46.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whitnel Elementary has a median household income of $50,529. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,800, with a median rent of $726/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.2 |
| Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC | 7.2 |
| Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington, NC | 7.2 |
| Ibraham Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Moncure School Moncure, NC | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whitnel Elementary
What grades does Whitnel Elementary serve?
Whitnel Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whitnel Elementary?
Whitnel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 267 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitnel Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whitnel Elementary is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whitnel Elementary rank in NC?
Whitnel Elementary is ranked #879 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Whitnel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitnel Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Whitnel Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitnel Elementary has 38.9% math proficiency and 36.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whitnel Elementary a charter school?
No, Whitnel Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whitnel Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whitnel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitnel Elementary?
98.9% of students at Whitnel 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. City-level (Lenoir). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 267
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Caldwell County
- Phone
- (828) 728-6423
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caldwell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,665
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,066
- District Rank
- #7 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.