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Locust Elementary

Q: Is Locust Elementary a good school?

Locust Elementary ranks 220 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

220^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 85% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

[Locust Elementary](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0432001710/school.aspx) is a K–5 public school in Locust, NC, serving 563 students and part of [Stanly County Schools](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/district/04320/search.aspx). This school has become a remarkable academic standout, recently ranking 220th out of 1,492 elementary schools in North Carolina (85th percentile, 4 stars), an achievement made even more notable by the fact that 99.5% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Academically, Locust consistently outperforms both its district and the state in every subject and grade level. For example, 5th-grade reading proficiency sits at 72.2% compared to 55.3% statewide, and 5th-grade science proficiency is an exceptional 86.6% versus 67.7% statewide. Its proficiency rates rise as students progress from 3rd to 5th grade, bucking the statewide trend of stagnation or decline. Locust also outranks many nearby schools in wealthier districts, such as [Mount Pleasant Elementary](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0053000214/school.aspx) and [New Salem Elementary](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0462001796/school.aspx). The contrast with [A T Allen Elementary](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0053000208/school.aspx) is particularly telling: both schools have a 99.5% low-income population, but Locust posts far higher reading proficiency (64.5% vs. 44.6% in 3rd grade) and a significantly higher state ranking. Only [Millingport Elementary](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0432001711/school.aspx) ranks higher among nearby schools.

Beyond test scores, Locust demonstrates exceptional effectiveness with its student population. The school ranks in the 94th percentile statewide among schools serving primarily low-income students, and its chronic absenteeism rate is just 11.4%—roughly half the district rate of 19.7% and the state rate of 24.2%. This strong attendance likely contributes to its consistent academic results. However, families may want to ask about support for specific subgroups, as performance for gifted students and English language learners has shown some year-to-year inconsistency. Overall, Locust delivers top-tier academic results with a comparatively lean staffing model, making it a genuine standout in the region, though families should monitor whether it can maintain its high performance following its peak ranking in 2021–22.

563

Students ?

15.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

99.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

103 School Rd
Locust, NC 28097-9786

(704) 961-5500

District: Stanly County Schools

Students who attend Locust Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	West Stanly Middle School
High:	West Stanly High

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.5%

Hispanic:

15.6%

Two or more races:

5.7%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Locust Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 93rd percentile in 2022 → 85th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (75% vs 61% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 15% of North Carolina elementary schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 93rd-percentile peak (2022) to 85th (2026)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school75%

District avg62%

North Carolina avg61%

220^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 15%▲ up 38 pts since 2016

From bottom 47% (2016) to top 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

100^th of 246Stanly 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	81.9	220 of 1492	85.3%	★★★★☆
2025	83.0	203 of 1490	86.4%	★★★★☆
2024	86.3	160 of 1505	89.4%	★★★★☆
2023	86.6	147 of 1502	90.2%	★★★★★
2022	90.6	102 of 1514	93.3%	★★★★★
2021	77.5	279 of 1489	81.3%	★★★★☆
2019	77.7	268 of 1473	81.8%	★★★★☆
2018	56.6	637 of 1434	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	57.4	622 of 1429	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	48.9	754 of 1425	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	66.1	473 of 1440	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	56.0	607 of 1390	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.8	491 of 1403	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	61.2	574 of 1388	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.4	717 of 1381	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	54.4	713 of 1363	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	50.1	765 of 1354	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	62.2	509 of 1324	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	56.3	618 of 1293	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2006	42.0	840 of 1276	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	76.3	104 of 878	88.2%	★★★★☆
2018	47.2	413 of 897	54.0%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	47.4	254 of 563	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	77.3	65 of 533	87.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	79.6	225 of 1447	84.5%	★★★★☆
2025	83.1	175 of 1451	87.9%	★★★★☆
2024	87.9	119 of 1455	91.8%	★★★★★
2023	82.2	181 of 1459	87.6%	★★★★☆
2022	87.1	131 of 1458	91.0%	★★★★★
2021	77.9	258 of 1440	82.1%	★★★★☆
2019	74.5	309 of 1424	78.3%	★★★★☆
2018	61.1	567 of 1405	59.6%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	54.8	447 of 743	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	70.7	82 of 710	88.5%	★★★★☆
2024	59.9	309 of 669	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	68.2	75 of 582	87.1%	★★★★☆
2022	69.8	72 of 500	85.6%	★★★★☆
2021	70.3	110 of 494	77.7%	★★★★☆
2019	66.0	45 of 612	92.6%	★★★★★
2018	35.9	58 of 69	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	61.7	305 of 981	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	73.5	162 of 961	83.1%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	139 of 951	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	88.3	61 of 915	93.3%	★★★★★
2022	93.2	33 of 893	96.3%	★★★★★
2021	87.2	63 of 843	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	65.1	243 of 865	71.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	86.2	93 of 1434	93.5%	★★★★★
2025	80.2	150 of 1437	89.6%	★★★★☆
2024	89.1	55 of 1450	96.2%	★★★★★
2023	92.1	30 of 1437	97.9%	★★★★★
2022	96.8	12 of 1366	99.1%	★★★★★
2021	83.3	116 of 1329	91.3%	★★★★★
2019	74.6	236 of 1361	82.7%	★★★★☆
2018	60.0	487 of 1332	63.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	79.7	228 of 1451	84.3%	★★★★☆
2025	79.7	231 of 1450	84.1%	★★★★☆
2024	81.8	202 of 1464	86.2%	★★★★☆
2023	87.6	125 of 1461	91.4%	★★★★★
2022	91.0	85 of 1464	94.2%	★★★★★
2021	73.9	339 of 1444	76.5%	★★★★☆
2019	78.1	241 of 1430	83.1%	★★★★☆
2018	51.8	714 of 1413	49.5%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	237 of 815	70.9%	★★★★☆
2025	41.2	452 of 821	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	63.7	180 of 801	77.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	67.0	359 of 1146	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	72.3	285 of 1172	75.7%	★★★★☆
2024	78.4	218 of 1166	81.3%	★★★★☆
2023	74.9	253 of 1183	78.6%	★★★★☆
2022	77.9	220 of 1194	81.6%	★★★★☆
2021	50.6	562 of 1172	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.8	453 of 1183	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	37.4	823 of 1178	30.1%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)94th percentile+8 vs school

Disabled (2019)88th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)84th percentile~ school

Male (2026)84th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)71st percentile-14 vs school

Hispanic (2026)69th percentile-16 vs school

White (2026)69th percentile-17 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)55th percentile-31 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)40th percentile-45 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science87%+19 vs state

Mathematics75%+12 vs state

Reading70%+14 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a principal
Friday, August 25, 2023

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Schools Near Locust 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 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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Locust Elementary	Public	K-5	103 School Rd	Locust	28097	Stanly County	Stanly County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 961-5500	563	36	15.7	99.5%	408 (72.5%)	27 (4.8%)	88 (15.6%)	8 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (5.7%)	81.9	220^th of 1492 public elementary schools	85.3%		83	203^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	86.4%	17	73.7	72.7	79.4				64.5	71.6	72.2				86.6		$8,043	$624	$7,419
Stanfield Elementary	Public	K-5	101 W. Montgomery St	Stanfield	28163	Stanly County	Stanly County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 961-5800	483	35	13.6	99.4%	311 (64.4%)	38 (7.9%)	106 (21.9%)	6 (1.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.1%)	62.1	547^th of 1492 public elementary schools	63.3%		55.7	640^th of 1490 public elementary schools	57.0%	93	85.5	57.4	63.4				60.5	55.9	56.3				73.2		$9,984	$933	$9,051
Oakboro Choice STEM	Public	K-8	1244 N Main St	Oakboro	28129	Stanly County	Stanly County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 961-4700	353	25	13.9	99.2%	288 (81.6%)	9 (2.5%)	35 (9.9%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.5%)	80.8	234^th of 1492 public elementary schools	84.3%		83	204^th of 1490 public elementary schools	86.3%	30	87.0	84.8	63.8	68.2	79.3	86.7	69.6	76.1	68.1	68.2	86.2	93.3	76.6	93.3	$8,393	$828	$7,565
Bethel Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2425 Midland Road	Midland	28107	Cabarrus County	Cabarrus County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 260-6070	611	46	13.3	43.4%	358 (58.6%)	90 (14.7%)	115 (18.8%)	19 (3.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.4%)	78.9	254^th of 1492 public elementary schools	83.0%		81.6	230^th of 1490 public elementary schools	84.6%	24	72.1	64.4	82.8				69.7	64.4	76.8				88.9		$9,140	$715	$8,425
Endy Elementary	Public	K-5	27670 Betty Rd	Albemarle	28001	Stanly County	Stanly County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 961-3300	360	27	13.2	99.2%	289 (80.3%)	14 (3.9%)	35 (9.7%)	6 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.4%)	48.7	751^st of 1492 public elementary schools	49.7%		51.9	712^th of 1490 public elementary schools	52.2%	39	75.0	54.2	54.1				62.5	58.3	45.9				57.4		$9,108	$956	$8,152
A T Allen Elementary	Public	K-5	3939 Abilene Rd	Concord	28025	Cabarrus County	Cabarrus County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 260-6050	626	43	14.7	99.5%	324 (51.8%)	113 (18.1%)	151 (24.1%)	10 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	26 (4.2%)	50.6	720^th of 1492 public elementary schools	51.7%		51.7	715^th of 1490 public elementary schools	52.0%	5	60.4	57.9	64.4				44.6	57.0	54.8				76.0		$9,205	$951	$8,254
New Salem Elementary	Public	K-5	6106 Hwy 205	Marshville	28103	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 296-3175	249	17	15.0	37.8%	222 (89.2%)	2 (0.8%)	17 (6.8%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.4%)	76.7	286^th of 1492 public elementary schools	80.8%		82.2	213^th of 1490 public elementary schools	85.7%	73	83.3	72.7	75.0				69.4	68.2	64.6				70.8		$10,320	$659	$9,661
Fairview Elementary	Public	K-5	110 Clontz Road	Monroe	28110	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 296-6332	394	28	14.0	35.3%	308 (78.2%)	6 (1.5%)	66 (16.8%)	8 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	69.2	431^st of 1492 public elementary schools	71.1%		84.8	177^th of 1490 public elementary schools	88.1%	254	63.3	76.5	77.2				58.2	64.7	59.6				82.5		$11,109	$766	$10,343
Patriots Elementary	Public, Magnet	K-5	1510 Holden Ave SW	Concord	28025	Cabarrus County	Cabarrus County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(704) 260-6230	636	46	13.7	37.3%	207 (32.5%)	185 (29.1%)	111 (17.5%)	90 (14.2%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (6.0%)	77	277^th of 1492 public elementary schools	81.4%		69.7	398^th of 1490 public elementary schools	73.3%	121	75.3	73.7	75.0				64.9	69.5	70.2				73.1		$8,181	$456	$7,725
Millingport Elementary	Public	K-5	24198 NC Hwy 73 W	Albemarle	28001	Stanly County	Stanly County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 961-4300	192	15	12.9	97.9%	138 (71.9%)	2 (1.0%)	16 (8.3%)	18 (9.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (8.9%)	84	190^th of 1492 public elementary schools	87.3%		85.7	161^st of 1490 public elementary schools	89.2%	29	82.1	69.4	84.6				78.6	75.0	63.2				84.6		$10,684	$1,258	$9,426

Frequently Asked Questions about Locust Elementary

How many students attend Locust Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 563 students attended Locust Elementary.

Is Locust Elementary a good school?

Locust Elementary ranks 220^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Locust Elementary in?

Stanly County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Locust Elementary?

Students at Locust Elementary are 72% White, 16% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 5% African American, 1% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Locust Elementary attend?

Students who attend Locust Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : West Stanly Middle School
High : West Stanly High

Rate Locust Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

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

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresNewSep 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.