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Celeste Henkel Elementary

Q: Is Celeste Henkel Elementary a good school?

Celeste Henkel Elementary ranks 893 rd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

893^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Celeste Henkel Elementary is a PK–5 school in Statesville, NC—about 40 miles north of Charlotte—serving 558 students in the Iredell-Statesville Schools district. Nearly all of its students (98.9%) qualify for free/reduced lunch, and the school spent $10,624 per student in 2018–2019. Its student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 is far more favorable than nearby Troutman Elementary's 20.7:1 or Success Institute Charter's 21.9:1. In the most recent state rankings, Celeste Henkel placed 893rd among 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools—the 40th percentile—a step back from the 57th percentile it earned the year before.

The school has several genuine strengths. Only 12.7% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, well below the district's 19.9% and state's 24.2%, and far better than several neighbors including Third Creek Elementary (27.6%). For three consecutive years ending in 2024–2025, 5th-grade science proficiency topped both district and state averages. And in the latest rankings, the school outperformed most of its closest demographic peers: N B Mills Elementary (1st percentile), Third Creek Elementary (4th percentile), and East Iredell Elementary (13th percentile) all serve essentially the same ~99% low-income population, yet none come close to Celeste Henkel's 40th percentile. The school even outranks American Renaissance School, a charter with only 51.3% low-income students that sits at the 24th percentile.

At the same time, there are legitimate concerns. Celeste Henkel Elementary has slipped steadily since its 2020–2021 peak (72nd percentile), and 3rd-grade math proficiency plunged from 68.3% to 41.8% in a single year—a likely cohort-specific issue, but worrying for those students as they move forward. Special education students ranked in the 11th percentile statewide in 2024–2025, and gifted/talented students in the 10th percentile in 2025–2026, suggesting both groups need targeted attention. More striking: neighboring schools with nearly identical poverty profiles—Sharon Elementary (98.8% low-income) ranks in the 67th percentile, while Troutman Elementary exceeds state averages in most subjects—earn stronger results. That gap shows how much room Celeste Henkel has to build on its strengths.

558

Students ?

13.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

Community Eligibility

All students receive free meals (2024-25) ?

94.3%

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

Exemptions: 4.3% (any vaccine)

1503 Old Mountain Road
Statesville, NC 28677-8654

(704) 873-7333

District: Iredell-Statesville Schools

Students who attend Celeste Henkel Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	West Iredell Middle
High:	West Iredell High

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.3%

Hispanic:

16.7%

African American:

12.4%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Celeste Henkel Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 36th percentile in 2016 → 40th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (55% vs 61% meeting standards)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

District avg61%

North Carolina avg61%

893^rd of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 36% (2016) to bottom 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

121^st of 246Iredell-Statesville 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	40.8	893 of 1492	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	55.5	643 of 1490	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.3	776 of 1505	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	56.8	644 of 1502	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.1	450 of 1514	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	68.3	422 of 1489	71.7%	★★★★☆
2019	59.0	593 of 1473	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.2	726 of 1434	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2017	47.5	794 of 1429	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	40.5	915 of 1425	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2015	47.1	798 of 1440	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	53.9	633 of 1390	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	37.9	883 of 1403	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	58.4	638 of 1388	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	64.7	524 of 1381	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2010	53.6	727 of 1363	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	55.9	685 of 1354	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	50.5	702 of 1324	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2007	54.6	657 of 1293	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2006	59.9	540 of 1276	57.7%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	50.0	355 of 896	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	24.2	807 of 949	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.7	654 of 927	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	83.0	44 of 646	93.2%	★★★★★
2019	66.4	187 of 878	78.7%	★★★★☆
2018	56.5	312 of 897	65.2%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	45.4	803 of 1447	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	54.8	634 of 1451	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.6	848 of 1455	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	47.9	777 of 1459	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.8	608 of 1458	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.0	625 of 1440	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.6	524 of 1424	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.0	589 of 1405	58.1%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	36.6	671 of 743	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.4	595 of 981	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	67.9	237 of 961	75.3%	★★★★☆
2023	57.8	323 of 915	64.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.2	857 of 1434	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.8	631 of 1437	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	43.4	852 of 1450	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.2	424 of 1437	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	65.4	353 of 1366	74.2%	★★★★☆
2021	84.5	101 of 1329	92.4%	★★★★★
2019	65.8	379 of 1361	72.2%	★★★★☆
2018	45.9	734 of 1332	44.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	36.3	954 of 1451	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	54.3	641 of 1450	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.3	702 of 1464	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.4	538 of 1461	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.9	355 of 1464	75.8%	★★★★☆
2021	77.5	273 of 1444	81.1%	★★★★☆
2019	55.9	642 of 1430	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.8	848 of 1413	40.0%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	23.0	731 of 821	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.7	909 of 1146	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.5	739 of 1172	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.3	750 of 1166	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.8	729 of 1183	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.1	504 of 1194	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.3	448 of 1172	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.4	525 of 1183	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	41.8	757 of 1178	35.7%	★★☆☆☆

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 (2021)93rd percentile+22 vs school

African American (2021)60th percentile-11 vs school

Female (2026)45th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)40th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)39th percentile~ school

Male (2026)34th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)21st percentile-19 vs school

Special Education (2025)11th percentile-46 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)10th percentile-30 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science60%-8 vs state

Mathematics54%-9 vs state

Reading53%-3 vs state

3.8

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Saturday, April 1, 2017

Don't let these stats fool you. There is one of the most caring, hard working staff at Celeste. We not only care about academic growth, but the hearts and minds of each of our children. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Excellent school. My kids love their school and teachers. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, December 1, 2016

Both of my children went to this school. Amazing people. Very helpful to my children. The teachers still ask about them and if they need help with their work, they can always find that help at Celeste. Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Friday, May 20, 2016

No problem at all at this school for teachers to scream at/verbally abuse kids- young kids- until they are reduced this to tears. We transferred in and were, of course, unaware prior to the fact. No way would my daughter have hone here her whole 6 years of elementary, and no way will my youngest daughter attend Celeste. Close Quote

Schools Near Celeste Henkel 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 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
Celeste Henkel Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1503 Old Mountain Road	Statesville	28677	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 873-7333	558	42	13.4	—	342 (61.3%)	69 (12.4%)	93 (16.7%)	10 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (7.9%)	40.8	893^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	40.1%		55.5	643^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	56.8%	250	41.8	59.7	61.3				50.6	59.7	48.8				60.0		94.3%	4.3%	$10,624	$1,544	$9,080
N B Mills Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1410 Pearl St	Statesville	28677	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 873-8498	378	28	13.5	—	49 (13.0%)	195 (51.6%)	86 (22.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (12.4%)	3.3	1482^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	0.7%		5.1	1471^st of 1490 public elementary schools	1.3%	11	26.4	35.8	21.6				19.4	18.9	23.1				42.3		82.8%	3.1%	$11,468	$2,044	$9,423
Sharon Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	880 Sharon Sch Rd	Statesville	28677	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 872-3401	251	19	13.5	—	185 (73.7%)	12 (4.8%)	22 (8.8%)	13 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (7.6%)	65.7	495^th of 1492 public elementary schools	66.8%		66.7	453^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	69.6%	42	75.8	55.0	75.0				57.6	60.0	62.5				81.3		83.9%	16.1%	$11,007	$1,103	$9,904
American Renaissance School	Public, Charter	K-8	132 East Broad Street	Statesville	28677	Iredell County	American Renaissance School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(704) 924-8870	823	60	13.7	51.3%	426 (51.8%)	167 (20.3%)	158 (19.2%)	6 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (8.0%)	28	1135^th of 1492 public elementary schools	23.9%		28.2	1114^th of 1490 public elementary schools	25.2%	21	36.4	41.7	50.6	47.7	34.5	16.7	49.5	47.6	48.3	51.2	41.8	46.3	52.9	61.1	88.7%	8.5%
Success Institute Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	1001 Cochran St	Statesville	28687	Iredell County	Success Institute Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(704) 881-0441	90	4	21.9	95.6%	0 (0.0%)	81 (90.0%)	5 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.4%)	36	983^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	34.1%					(n/a)	40.0	33.3			18.2		54.5	66.7			543.4
Troutman Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	220 S Main St	Troutman	28166	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 528-4526	902	44	20.7	—	472 (52.3%)	166 (18.4%)	170 (18.8%)	15 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	77 (8.5%)	45.2	822^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	44.9%		59.4	575^th of 1490 public elementary schools	61.4%	247	71.5	60.3	63.7				48.3	45.8	48.4				63.1		92.3%	4.2%	$8,537	$922	$7,615
Scotts Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4743 Taylorsville Hwy	Statesville	28625	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 585-6526	283	25	11.3	—	119 (42.0%)	35 (12.4%)	85 (30.0%)	16 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (9.9%)	48.7	753^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	49.5%		45.3	825^th of 1490 public elementary schools	44.6%	72	60.0	53.5	72.5				48.6	40.9	51.0				78.4		94.6%	5.4%	$10,123	$1,453	$8,669
Third Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	361 East Barkley Road	Statesville	28677	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 873-3002	526	40	13.3	—	118 (22.4%)	175 (33.3%)	183 (34.8%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (8.6%)	8.8	1434^th of 1492 public elementary schools	3.9%		10	1421^st of 1490 public elementary schools	4.6%	13	47.6	36.8	40.4				30.1	27.6	31.1				36.7		91.7%	2.1%	$10,568	$1,819	$8,748
Catawba Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5415 Hudson Chapel Road	Catawba	28609	Catawba County	Catawba County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 241-3131	450	26	17.0	—	279 (62.0%)	33 (7.3%)	75 (16.7%)	24 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (8.7%)	54.4	662^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	55.6%		52.2	707^th of 1490 public elementary schools	52.6%	45	59.3	64.9	63.3	76.6			59.3	44.2	50.0	62.5			66.7		61.1%	2.8%	$9,663	$1,298	$8,365
Cloverleaf Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	300 James Farm Rd	Statesville	28625	Iredell County	Iredell-Statesville Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 978-2111	568	41	13.7	—	220 (38.7%)	139 (24.5%)	143 (25.2%)	14 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (9.2%)	27.7	1146^th of 1492 public elementary schools	23.2%		27.6	1118^th of 1490 public elementary schools	25.0%	28	52.1	50.0	55.7				44.6	43.3	43.2				56.8		96.3%	1.3%	$10,739	$1,474	$9,265

Frequently Asked Questions about Celeste Henkel Elementary

How many students attend Celeste Henkel Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 558 students attended Celeste Henkel Elementary.

Is Celeste Henkel Elementary a good school?

Celeste Henkel Elementary ranks 893^rd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Celeste Henkel Elementary?

Students at Celeste Henkel Elementary are 61% White, 17% Hispanic, 12% African American, 8% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Celeste Henkel Elementary attend?

Students who attend Celeste Henkel Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : West Iredell Middle
High : West Iredell High

What district is Celeste Henkel Elementary in?

Iredell-Statesville Schools

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

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

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

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

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 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.