Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Sawmills Elementary

Q: Is Sawmills Elementary a good school?

Sawmills Elementary ranks 1049 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1049^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 30% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Sawmills Elementary is a small PK-5 elementary school in Granite Falls, NC, serving 351 students as part of Caldwell County Schools, a district ranked in the lower third of North Carolina's 246 districts. The school's strongest era was a decade ago, when it consistently earned 3 stars and ranked in the 52nd–63rd percentile statewide between 2015-16 and 2018-19. Since the pandemic, however, Sawmills has been stuck in the lower third of North Carolina elementary schools. Its most recent 2025-26 state rank places it at the 30th percentile (1 star) — improved from a 15th-percentile low in 2022-23, but still far from its pre-pandemic baseline.

Compared with its closest geographic neighbors, Sawmills is underperforming. Simple averages of 3rd–5th grade EOG math, reading, and 5th grade science proficiency show Sawmills at roughly 51%, while Granite Falls Elementary (2.6 miles away) posts about 68%, Hudson Elementary (2.1 miles away) about 64%, and Baton Elementary about 62% — all serving similarly high-poverty populations. Only Davenport A+ School and Whitnel Elementary score similar or worse. Within the school, the most urgent concern is 4th grade math, where proficiency has hovered between 35% and 46% for four straight years — a 17-point gap versus the district and 26 points below the state in 2025-26. On a brighter note, reading proficiency improved by roughly 7–9 points in every grade between 2024-25 and 2025-26, though scores remain slightly below state averages.

Sawmills has real strengths to build on. Chronic absenteeism is consistently lower than district and state averages (17.2% vs. 23.2% district and 24.2% state in 2024-25), and the school's per-pupil spending of $11,245 exceeds that of most higher-performing neighbors, meaning resources and attendance are not the binding constraints. Results for student subgroups are uneven but encouraging in places: economically disadvantaged students ranked at the 40th percentile statewide in 2025-26 (above the school's overall rank), and special education students recently performed at the 60th percentile. These pockets of success suggest the instructional challenges affecting the school's general education population are not insurmountable — and the nearby schools outperforming Sawmills show that higher achievement is possible in the same community context.

351

Students ?

17.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

Community Eligibility

All students receive free meals (2024-25) ?

88.5%

Kindergartners up to date on all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 3.8% (any vaccine)

4436 Sawmills School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630-9488

(828) 396-2610

District: Caldwell County Schools

Students who attend Sawmills Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Hudson Middle
High:	South Caldwell High

Racial breakdown:

White:

77.5%

Hispanic:

13.1%

Two or more races:

5.7%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Sawmills Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 15th percentile in 2023 → 30th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 30th (2026) from a 15th-percentile low (2023)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (50% vs 61% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Mathematics scores 16 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg53%

North Carolina avg61%

1,049^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 30%▼ down 26 pts since 2016

From top 44% (2016) to bottom 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

162^nd of 246Caldwell County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.5	1049 of 1492	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	36.5	973 of 1490	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.8	1033 of 1505	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	18.3	1282 of 1502	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.1	1108 of 1514	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	34.7	944 of 1489	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	62.0	543 of 1473	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.5	670 of 1434	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	53.5	690 of 1429	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	55.3	632 of 1425	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2015	45.3	822 of 1440	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	40.6	842 of 1390	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	36.9	904 of 1403	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	70.6	390 of 1388	71.9%	★★★★☆
2011	62.7	574 of 1381	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	59.2	630 of 1363	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	53.3	722 of 1354	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	67.9	389 of 1324	70.6%	★★★★☆
2007	53.8	674 of 1293	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	55.1	622 of 1276	51.3%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2018	69.7	160 of 897	82.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	31.9	1052 of 1447	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	43.1	845 of 1451	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.2	1052 of 1455	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.7	1286 of 1459	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.6	1153 of 1458	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	30.3	1000 of 1440	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	82.9	168 of 1424	88.2%	★★★★☆
2018	65.3	474 of 1405	66.3%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	27.4	761 of 951	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.3	855 of 1434	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.7	1108 of 1437	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	41.8	896 of 1450	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	24.2	1187 of 1437	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	43.0	785 of 1366	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	52.7	537 of 1329	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	82.0	136 of 1361	90.0%	★★★★★
2018	59.4	505 of 1332	62.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	33.9	1000 of 1451	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.6	1029 of 1450	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.8	973 of 1464	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.2	1191 of 1461	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	34.0	999 of 1464	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.7	856 of 1444	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	43.5	853 of 1430	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.4	822 of 1413	41.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	50.7	327 of 821	60.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	15.7	1053 of 1146	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	17.3	1052 of 1172	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.9	1071 of 1166	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.6	1162 of 1183	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	13.4	1119 of 1194	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.4	1120 of 1172	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	35.3	846 of 1183	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.2	965 of 1178	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2018)82nd percentile+29 vs school

Special Education (2025)60th percentile+25 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)40th percentile+11 vs school

Male (2026)31st percentile~ school

Female (2026)27th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2024)20th percentile-11 vs school

White (2026)8th percentile-22 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science56%-12 vs state

Reading52%-4 vs state

Mathematics47%-16 vs state

5.0

1 rating

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Sawmills Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Sawmills Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners up to date on all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sawmills Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4436 Sawmills School Road	Granite Falls	28630	Caldwell County	Caldwell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 396-2610	351	20	17.2	—	272 (77.5%)	7 (2.0%)	46 (13.1%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.7%)	32.5	1049^th of 1492 public elementary schools	29.7%		36.5	973^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	34.7%	76	51.0	35.4	58.8				51.0	52.1	52.9				55.9		88.5%	3.8%	$11,245	$974	$10,271
Hudson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	200 Roy Coffey Drive	Hudson	28638	Caldwell County	Caldwell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 728-3712	665	34	19.4	97.0%	506 (76.1%)	17 (2.6%)	88 (13.2%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (7.5%)	60.1	573^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	61.6%		56.3	629^th of 1490 public elementary schools	57.8%	56	66.0	56.6	74.0				53.4	51.6	69.2				80.0		97%	3%	$9,567	$1,023	$8,544
Granite Falls Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	60 N Highland Avenue	Granite Falls	28630	Caldwell County	Caldwell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 396-2222	647	35	18.4	—	506 (78.2%)	22 (3.4%)	84 (13.0%)	7 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (4.3%)	70.8	399^th of 1492 public elementary schools	73.3%		67.8	433^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	70.9%	34	69.0	75.2	68.8				60.9	70.9	59.1				73.1		92.2%	5.6%	$8,703	$796	$7,907
Baton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 Baton School Road	Granite Falls	28630	Caldwell County	Caldwell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 728-9531	357	23	15.4	—	303 (84.9%)	6 (1.7%)	29 (8.1%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.9%)	55	654^th of 1492 public elementary schools	56.2%		60	564^th of 1490 public elementary schools	62.1%	90	78.7	53.8	61.2				66.0	50.0	53.1				69.4		92.9%	3.6%	$9,953	$1,175	$8,778
Ray Childers Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1183 Cape Hickory Road	Hickory	28601	Burke County	Burke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 324-1340	460	29	15.7	—	304 (66.1%)	6 (1.3%)	58 (12.6%)	61 (13.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	30 (6.5%)	65.5	497^th of 1492 public elementary schools	66.7%		64.9	487^th of 1490 public elementary schools	67.3%	10	65.2	74.0	79.7				55.1	57.1	57.8				78.1		93.7%	1.6%	$10,027	$1,439	$8,588
Dudley Shoals Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1500 Dudley Shoals Road	Granite Falls	28630	Caldwell County	Caldwell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 396-3457	433	26	16.4	—	369 (85.2%)	6 (1.4%)	25 (5.8%)	7 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (5.5%)	39.7	910^th of 1492 public elementary schools	39.0%		49.5	751^st of 1490 public elementary schools	49.6%	159	47.1	48.5	63.4				39.7	60.6	46.5				71.8		98.4%	1.6%	$9,484	$1,010	$8,473
Whitnel Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1425 Berkley Street SW	Lenoir	28645	Caldwell County	Caldwell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 728-6423	330	16	20.0	94.8%	196 (59.4%)	27 (8.2%)	79 (23.9%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (7.6%)	15.2	1360^th of 1492 public elementary schools	8.8%		26.5	1146^th of 1490 public elementary schools	23.1%	214	46.3	30.6	40.5				34.1	36.1	42.9				54.8		95.7%	2.2%	$11,973	$1,307	$10,666
Icard Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3087 Icard School Road	Connelly Springs	28612	Burke County	Burke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 397-3491	265	21	12.7	—	188 (70.9%)	1 (0.4%)	32 (12.1%)	32 (12.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.5%)	76.6	290^th of 1492 public elementary schools	80.6%		58.5	588^th of 1490 public elementary schools	60.5%	298	81.6	72.1	76.9				68.4	60.5	61.5				82.1		100%	0%	$9,629	$1,361	$8,268
Oak Hill Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	4603 Oak Hill School Rd.	Lenoir	28645	Caldwell County	Oak Hill Charter School	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(828) 759-1383	253	17	15.3	—	213 (84.2%)	6 (2.4%)	13 (5.1%)	2 (0.8%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (6.7%)	14.9	1364^th of 1492 public elementary schools	8.6%		24.9	1188^th of 1490 public elementary schools	20.3%	176	54.1	45.0	37.5	30.0	27.8	37.5	32.4	40.0	33.3	40.0	33.3	50.0	45.8	43.8	80%	20%
Valdese Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	298 Praley Street	Valdese	28690	Burke County	Burke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 874-0704	530	30	17.8	—	422 (79.6%)	11 (2.1%)	44 (8.3%)	25 (4.7%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	24 (4.5%)	59.4	593^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	60.3%		56.5	623^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	58.2%	30	62.2	53.3	78.7				62.2	45.6	60.6				81.9		96.2%	3.8%	$8,594	$1,111	$7,483

Frequently Asked Questions about Sawmills Elementary

What schools do graduates of Sawmills Elementary attend?

Students who attend Sawmills Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hudson Middle
High : South Caldwell High

What district is Sawmills Elementary in?

Caldwell County Schools

Is Sawmills Elementary a good school?

Sawmills Elementary ranks 1049^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Sawmills Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 351 students attended Sawmills Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Sawmills Elementary?

Students at Sawmills Elementary are 77% White, 13% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% African American, 1% Asian.

Rate Sawmills Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

NCNorth Carolina Elementary School Rankings

NCNorth Carolina District Rankings

Schools in Granite Falls, NC

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Sawmills Elementary!

Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 graduation rates (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2020–21 through 2025–26 immunization ratesOct 19, 2026

2022–23 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 attendance dataSep 2, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.