Summary
Clarke Elementary serves 364 students in grades PK through 5 in Henderson, NC, as part of the Vance County Schools district, though the school is currently facing significant academic challenges. In the most recent rankings, Clarke Elementary ranked 1,474th out of 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 1st percentile. This marks a steep decline from the 2017-18 school year, when the school ranked in the 76th percentile and earned four stars. Since the pandemic, the school has not recovered, remaining in the bottom 1 to 2 percent of schools statewide since 2022-23.
Academically, Clarke Elementary trails both district and state averages by wide margins in every subject and grade level. For example, only 21.2% of third graders were proficient in reading compared to the state average of 55.6%, and only 24.2% were proficient in math versus 66.4% statewide. The school serves a highly impacted student population, with approximately 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Chronic absenteeism, while improved from a peak of 57.5% in 2021-22, remains high at 42.6%—well above the state's 24.2% rate. Additionally, per-pupil spending at Clarke ($10,636) is the lowest among nearby elementary schools, which may be a contributing factor to its struggles.
These challenges are not solely explained by student poverty. Nearby Aycock Elementary serves a nearly identical population, with 99.2% of students economically disadvantaged, yet ranks in the 39th percentile statewide and significantly outperforms Clarke in reading and math. This suggests school-level leadership, instructional supports, and resource allocation play a critical role in outcomes. However, there are signs of hope. Fifth-grade math and science proficiency have risen meaningfully in recent years. Additionally, Clarke previously earned five stars for its outcomes with disabled students in 2017-18 and 2018-19, proving the school has the capacity for high-level performance with specific populations. These bright spots offer a potential foundation for broader improvement, making the school's current low rankings a pressing concern for the Henderson community.
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