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T S Cooper Elementary

Q: Is T S Cooper Elementary a good school?

T S Cooper Elementary ranks 334 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

334^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 78% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

T S Cooper Elementary is a small K-5 school in Sunbury, NC, serving about 170 students within Gates County Schools. In the most recent state ranking, it placed in the 78th percentile (334th out of 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools) and earned a 4-star rating, well above its district's overall 52nd-percentile rank and above every nearby comparison school, including Hertford Grammar (61st percentile), Gatesville Elementary (57th percentile), and Buckland Elementary (46th percentile). About 57% of students qualify for free/reduced-price lunch, and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.

Several factors set the school apart. Its 5th-grade results are particularly strong: proficiency reached 78.6% in math, 71.4% in reading, and 85.2% in science — exceeding state averages by roughly 16 to 18 percentage points in each subject. The school also posts strong results for specific student groups, with economically disadvantaged students ranking in the 84th percentile statewide and female students in the 90th percentile. Perhaps most striking is the school’s sustained climb from the 13th percentile in 2018-2019 to the 78th percentile today — a trajectory that suggests meaningful, long-term improvement rather than a one-year surge.

The picture, however, is not uniformly bright. Reading in the middle grades remains an area to watch — 4th-grade reading, at 54.5%, dipped below the state average in the most recent year — and female students (90th percentile) are significantly outperforming male students (54th percentile) on statewide subgroup measures. Chronic absenteeism has improved from 32.6% two years ago to 24.4%, but that rate remains above nearby Hertford Grammar and Gatesville Elementary. Because the school is small, rankings and test scores can fluctuate notably from year to year, so these results are best understood over multiple years. Still, the overall direction is clearly positive, and these results make the school one of the stronger rural elementary schools in northeastern North Carolina.

170

Students ?

14.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

57.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

237 NC 32 South
Sunbury, NC 27979

(252) 465-4091

District: Gates County Schools

Students who attend T S Cooper Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Central Middle School
High:	Gates County Senior High

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.4%

African American:

25.3%

Two or more races:

6.5%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare T S Cooper Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 51st percentile in 2016 → 78th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (71% vs 61% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 22% of North Carolina elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 27 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school71%

District avg64%

North Carolina avg61%

334^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 22%▲ up 27 pts since 2016

From top 49% (2016) to top 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

119^th of 246Gates 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	74.2	334 of 1492	77.6%	★★★★☆
2025	57.9	598 of 1490	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.4	711 of 1505	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.6	736 of 1502	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.3	768 of 1514	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	24.0	1119 of 1489	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.5	1283 of 1473	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.6	932 of 1434	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	45.6	823 of 1429	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	51.4	704 of 1425	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2015	33.3	1031 of 1440	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	57.8	577 of 1390	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	48.7	685 of 1403	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	65.6	492 of 1388	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	63.0	570 of 1381	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	49.7	776 of 1363	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	44.3	860 of 1354	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	54.6	640 of 1324	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	48.6	770 of 1293	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2006	36.8	918 of 1276	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	91.9	36 of 903	96.0%	★★★★★
2019	21.0	852 of 949	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	8.5	917 of 927	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	85.9	147 of 1447	89.8%	★★★★☆
2025	70.4	362 of 1451	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	65.2	452 of 1455	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.9	608 of 1459	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.8	690 of 1458	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	22.6	1143 of 1440	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.1	1113 of 1424	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.5	1057 of 1405	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	70.8	28 of 710	96.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	75.4	229 of 1434	84.0%	★★★★☆
2025	48.4	734 of 1437	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	61.1	479 of 1450	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.7	500 of 1437	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	27.7	1085 of 1366	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	13.2	1279 of 1329	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	23.4	1153 of 1361	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.1	988 of 1332	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.2	665 of 1451	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.7	802 of 1450	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.8	925 of 1464	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.3	863 of 1461	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.9	826 of 1464	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	28.5	1016 of 1444	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	14.2	1302 of 1430	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	49.1	771 of 1413	45.4%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	59.9	455 of 1146	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.4	472 of 1172	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.6	758 of 1166	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.9	842 of 1183	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	43.5	703 of 1194	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	11.0	1130 of 1172	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.1	1141 of 1183	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	37.0	834 of 1178	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Gifted and Talented (2025)96th percentile+36 vs school

African American (2026)96th percentile+18 vs school

Female (2026)90th percentile+12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)84th percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)60th percentile-17 vs school

Male (2026)54th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science85%+17 vs state

Mathematics75%+12 vs state

Reading62%+6 vs state

4.7

3 ratings · 1 written review

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, January 31, 2019

Wonderful school, teachers, students, and staff. My daughter is a Principal's to Honor Roll Student. This school has helped her achieve academic success. I am confident in her future goals thanks to this outstanding school. Close Quote

Schools Near T S Cooper Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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 Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
T S Cooper Elementary	Public	K-5	237 NC 32 South	Sunbury	27979	Gates County	Gates County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 465-4091	170	12	14.0	57.1%	106 (62.4%)	43 (25.3%)	9 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (6.5%)	74.2	334^th of 1492 public elementary schools	77.6%		57.9	598^th of 1490 public elementary schools	59.9%	264	85.2	64.7	78.6	63.0	54.5	71.4	85.2	$11,764	$1,088	$10,676
Gatesville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	709 North Main Street	Gatesville	27938	Gates County	Gates County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 357-0613	252	15	16.5	59.5%	157 (62.3%)	51 (20.2%)	12 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (12.3%)	56.2	639^th of 1492 public elementary schools	57.2%		32.3	1050^th of 1490 public elementary schools	29.5%	411	97.6	71.0	60.0	63.4	48.4	50.0	55.0	$12,161	$1,468	$10,693
Buckland Elementary	Public	K-5	448 NC 37 North	Gates	27937	Gates County	Gates County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 357-1611	220	15	15.1	50.9%	145 (65.9%)	49 (22.3%)	8 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.8%)	46	803^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	46.2%		37	963^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	35.4%	160	78.8	66.7	54.3	54.5	44.4	45.7	60.0	$12,341	$957	$11,384
Perquimans Central	Public	PK, KG-2	181 Winfall Blvd	Winfall	27985	Perquimans County	Perquimans County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 426-5332	423	29	14.5	99.3%	277 (65.5%)	88 (20.8%)	23 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (8.3%)								(n/a)								$11,892	$1,462	$10,430
Hertford Grammar	Public	3-5	603 Dobbs Street	Hertford	27944	Perquimans County	Perquimans County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 426-7166	420	28	15.2	99.3%	290 (69.0%)	81 (19.3%)	23 (5.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.7%)	59.7	586^th of 1492 public elementary schools	60.7%		59.4	576^th of 1490 public elementary schools	61.3%	10	61.5	70.1	60.0	56.3	64.2	56.2	74.8	$10,302	$1,792	$8,510
Colerain Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	202 N Academy Street	Colerain	27924	Bertie County	Bertie County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 356-4714	193	17	11.6	98.4%	26 (13.5%)	159 (82.4%)	3 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.6%)	19.3	1288^th of 1492 public elementary schools	13.7%		36.4	975^th of 1490 public elementary schools	34.6%	313	60.9	36.1	34.8	60.9	33.3	34.8	34.8	$13,354	$2,225	$11,129
D F Walker Elementary	Public	3-5	125 Sandy Ridge Road	Edenton	27932	Chowan County	Edenton-Chowan Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 221-4151	368	21	17.5	99.2%	167 (45.4%)	139 (37.8%)	41 (11.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.4%)	35.6	988^th of 1492 public elementary schools	33.8%		31.6	1065^th of 1490 public elementary schools	28.5%	77	71.7	53.2	44.4	44.9	51.6	42.9	59.5	$10,795	$1,506	$9,289
White Oak Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	111 Sandy Ridge Road	Edenton	27932	Chowan County	Edenton-Chowan Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 221-4078	488	34	14.3	99.4%	226 (46.3%)	190 (38.9%)	40 (8.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.4%)								(n/a)								$13,005	$1,702	$11,303
Northside Elementary	Public	K-5	1062 Northside Rd	Elizabeth City	27909	Pasquotank County	Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 335-2033	419	32	13.3	99.3%	204 (48.7%)	128 (30.5%)	54 (12.9%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (7.4%)	42.6	868^th of 1492 public elementary schools	41.8%		44.2	844^th of 1490 public elementary schools	43.4%	24	53.5	56.1	65.2	42.3	42.1	54.5	75.8	$10,283	$901	$9,382

Frequently Asked Questions about T S Cooper Elementary

How many students attend T S Cooper Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 170 students attended T S Cooper Elementary.

What district is T S Cooper Elementary in?

Gates County Schools

What schools do graduates of T S Cooper Elementary attend?

Students who attend T S Cooper Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Central Middle School
High : Gates County Senior High

What is the racial makeup of T S Cooper Elementary?

Students at T S Cooper Elementary are 62% White, 25% African American, 6% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic.

Is T S Cooper Elementary a good school?

T S Cooper Elementary ranks 334^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate T S Cooper Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

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.