For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public elementary schools serving 7,462 students in Caldwell County, NC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Caldwell County, NC are Granite Falls Elementary School, Lower Creek Elementary School and Collettsville School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Caldwell County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Caldwell County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Caldwell County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Granite Falls Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
60 N Highland Avenue
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2222
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2222
Grades: PK-5
| 593 students
Rank: #22.
Lower Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
630 Lower Creek Drive Ne
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-4022
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-4022
Grades: PK-5
| 383 students
Rank: #33.
Collettsville School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4690 Collettsville School Rd
Collettsville, NC 28611
(828) 754-6913
Collettsville, NC 28611
(828) 754-6913
Grades: PK-8
| 339 students
Rank: #44.
Granite Falls Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4 West Highland Ave
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2341
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2341
Grades: 6-8
| 525 students
Rank: #55.
Hudson Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
291 Pine Mountain Road
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-4281
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-4281
Grades: 6-8
| 547 students
Rank: #66.
Baton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 Baton School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 728-9531
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 728-9531
Grades: PK-5
| 347 students
Rank: #77.
Valmead Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
111 Elizabeth Drive Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-9612
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-9612
Grades: PK-5
| 275 students
Rank: #88.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Roy Coffey Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-3712
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-3712
Grades: PK-5
| 633 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Yadkin River Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-3496
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-3496
Grades: PK-8
| 223 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Kings Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3680 Wilkesboro Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6039
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6039
Grades: PK-8
| 148 students
Rank: #1111.
William Lenoir Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1366 Wildcat Trail
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3910
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3910
Grades: 6-8
| 514 students
Rank: #1212.
Gamewell Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3210 Gamewell School Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6204
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6204
Grades: 6-8
| 486 students
Rank: #1313.
Sawmills Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4436 Sawmills School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2610
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2610
Grades: PK-5
| 336 students
Rank: #1414.
Dudley Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-3457
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-3457
Grades: PK-5
| 432 students
Rank: #1515.
Davenport A+ School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
901 College Avenue Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6941
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6941
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Rank: #1616.
Gamewell Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2904 Morganton Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-1193
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-1193
Grades: PK-5
| 519 students
Rank: #1717.
Whitnel Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Berkley Street Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 728-6423
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 728-6423
Grades: PK-5
| 267 students
Rank: #1818.
Horizons Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
332 Greenhaven Dr. Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Grades: K-5
| 29 students
Rank: #1919.
Gateway School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1889 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-8373
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-8373
Grades: 6-12
| 62 students
Rank: n/an/a
332 Greenhaven Dr Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Grades: 4-12
| 151 students
Rank: n/an/a
Oak Hill Charter School
Charter School
4603 Oak Hill School Rd.
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 759-1383
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 759-1383
Grades: K-8
| 207 students
Caldwell County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
4603 Oak Hill School Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6128
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6128
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
125 Maple Drive Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-5161
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-5161
Grades: 3-5
| 133 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Caldwell County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Caldwell County, NC include Granite Falls Elementary School, Lower Creek Elementary School and Collettsville School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Caldwell County?
21 public elementary schools are located in Caldwell County.
What is the racial composition of students in Caldwell County?
Caldwell County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Caldwell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Caldwell County include: William Lenoir Middle School vs. Gamewell Middle School, Dudley Shoals Elementary School vs. Granite Falls Elementary School, Gamewell Middle School vs. William Lenoir Middle School
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