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Lincoln Heights Elementary

Q: Is Lincoln Heights Elementary a good school?

Lincoln Heights Elementary ranks 336 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-5

336^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 77% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Lincoln Heights Elementary is a PK–5 school in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, serving 667 students in the Wake County Schools district. The big story for parents is encouraging: this is a real turnaround school. As recently as 2016–2017, it ranked in the 14th percentile with a 1-star rating, placing it in the bottom fifth of North Carolina elementary schools. By 2023–2024, it had climbed to the 86th percentile, and it has now held a 4-star rating at the 77th percentile for two straight years.

Academically, Lincoln Heights beats state averages in every tested subject and grade, often by wide margins. Its strongest area is 5th grade science, at 80.2% proficiency versus 73.5% in the district and 67.7% statewide. Fourth grade reading and math match or slightly exceed district averages. The exception is 5th grade reading and math, which trail district averages by about six and three points while 5th grade science stays strong — a grade-level challenge, not a schoolwide weakness. Attendance is another bright spot: chronic absenteeism has fallen from 23.6% in 2021–2022 to 16.8% in 2024–2025, better than both the district rate of 20.5% and the state rate of 24.2%.

That statewide strength looks different up close, since Lincoln Heights sits in a competitive neighborhood. At the 77th percentile, it ranks about even with Fuquay-Varina Elementary and well ahead of Achievement Charter Academy. But several nearby Wake County elementaries rank higher — Holly Grove Elementary (97th percentile), Holly Ridge Elementary (95th), Buckhorn Creek Elementary (93rd), and Ballentine Elementary (88th) — all with lower chronic absenteeism. Lincoln Heights also serves a higher-poverty population than those schools (35.8% free/reduced lunch versus 13.3% at Holly Grove) and receives higher per-student funding ($13,231) as a result. Outcomes vary within the school: Hispanic students perform at the 87th percentile statewide, while the African American subgroup has declined from the 71st to the 25th percentile over three years, and gifted students have fallen from the 62nd to the 21st percentile. Closing those gaps, along with addressing the 5th grade reading and math dip, will likely define the school's next chapter.

667

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

35.8%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

91.5%

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

Exemptions: 4.2% (any vaccine)

307 Bridge St
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526-1805

(919) 557-2587

District: Wake County Schools

Students who attend Lincoln Heights Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Fuquay-Varina Middle
High:	Fuquay-Varina High
	Wake Early College of Health and Science
	Wake STEM Early College High School
	Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
	More...
	Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.9%

African American:

15.4%

Hispanic:

13.9%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Lincoln Heights Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 20th percentile in 2016 → 77th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (70% vs 61% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 23% of North Carolina elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 57 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 school70%

District avg70%

North Carolina avg61%

336^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 23%▲ up 57 pts since 2016

From bottom 20% (2016) to top 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

60^th of 246Wake 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	74.1	336 of 1492	77.5%	★★★★☆
2025	73.7	336 of 1490	77.4%	★★★★☆
2024	81.9	217 of 1505	85.6%	★★★★☆
2023	70.6	397 of 1502	73.6%	★★★★☆
2022	53.6	676 of 1514	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.5	835 of 1489	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.2	1064 of 1473	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.1	1175 of 1434	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	18.9	1228 of 1429	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	25.9	1133 of 1425	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	22.9	1177 of 1440	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	19.7	1158 of 1390	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	26.1	1094 of 1403	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	30.8	1078 of 1388	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	30.9	1055 of 1381	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	37.7	966 of 1363	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	45.9	837 of 1354	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	63.2	488 of 1324	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	71.6	313 of 1293	75.8%	★★★★☆
2006	65.5	426 of 1276	66.6%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.0	674 of 903	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	36.2	621 of 918	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	61.3	270 of 924	70.8%	★★★★☆
2023	56.5	346 of 933	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	37.6	578 of 927	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.1	400 of 896	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	29.2	747 of 949	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.2	729 of 927	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.7	75 of 134	44.0%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	41.1	331 of 634	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	50.4	363 of 878	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	19.2	836 of 897	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	48.8	201 of 485	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	27.6	407 of 497	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	43.5	214 of 421	49.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	70.9	353 of 1447	75.6%	★★★★☆
2025	67.4	408 of 1451	71.9%	★★★★☆
2024	78.8	230 of 1455	84.2%	★★★★☆
2023	60.9	540 of 1459	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.7	787 of 1458	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.0	709 of 1440	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	33.5	1020 of 1424	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.5	1176 of 1405	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	46.3	590 of 743	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	50.1	488 of 710	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	62.8	257 of 669	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.6	382 of 582	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	55.1	295 of 500	41.0%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	78.2	131 of 981	86.6%	★★★★☆
2025	66.2	255 of 961	73.5%	★★★★☆
2024	71.7	187 of 951	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	62.2	270 of 915	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	42.7	511 of 893	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	28.8	656 of 843	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	32.1	657 of 865	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.2	697 of 851	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	49.4	693 of 1434	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.9	762 of 1437	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.0	534 of 1450	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.3	544 of 1437	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.3	705 of 1366	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	54.5	506 of 1329	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	28.9	1076 of 1361	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.5	1125 of 1332	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	74.0	323 of 1451	77.7%	★★★★☆
2025	77.0	271 of 1450	81.3%	★★★★☆
2024	81.7	204 of 1464	86.1%	★★★★☆
2023	76.4	276 of 1461	81.1%	★★★★☆
2022	59.3	582 of 1464	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	38.4	871 of 1444	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.0	1041 of 1430	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	26.4	1128 of 1413	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.8	331 of 815	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.6	178 of 821	78.3%	★★★★☆
2024	57.6	241 of 801	69.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	66.2	366 of 1146	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.4	299 of 1172	74.5%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	226 of 1166	80.6%	★★★★☆
2023	69.0	333 of 1183	71.9%	★★★★☆
2022	58.4	478 of 1194	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.6	713 of 1172	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	43.3	724 of 1183	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	48.4	658 of 1178	44.1%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2026)87th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2026)78th percentile~ school

Female (2026)76th percentile~ school

White (2026)68th percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2026)59th percentile-18 vs school

English Language Learner (2022)59th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile-26 vs school

Disabled (2022)48th percentile-8 vs school

Asian (2026)44th percentile-33 vs school

African American (2026)25th percentile-52 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)21st percentile-57 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science80%+12 vs state

Mathematics70%+7 vs state

Reading66%+10 vs state

3.7

7 ratings · 6 written reviews

5★4

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, May 19, 2018

Although the school has always struggled academically, at least it used to have heart and a sense of community. However, in the past 2 years it has changed dramatically - while its appearance has been improved with renovations, the inside has become more cold with increased focus on data. Excellent, caring staff have left and scores have dropped. For those assigned here in upcoming years, though, have no fear... in true Wake County fashion they are addressing the problem in 2018-2019 by reassigning the many of its current students to other schools and bringing in new, better performing populations... cynical much? Maybe, but you can’t ignore the facts. Watch for Lincoln Heights scores to raise and surrounding school scores to absorb former failings. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 7, 2017

This is a great place to be. The school with a heart for the students. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 7, 2017

This school is more than just a rating. It has grit, determination, and heart. My children have learned first hand about issues affecting minorities and immigrants, and will be more compassionate and aware as a result. I love LHES and encourage all to visit and really see the amazing things going on within those walls. Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, February 15, 2016

LHES is a nice school with a community feel. It's true that the building is in need of renovation (scheduled to start this year) and the school is in a low income neighborhood, which affects its test scores. However, the teachers and staff at LHES are caring and professional. I really like the principal as well; he is responsive to parents and very kind and positive with students. My own two children are doing well academically, have tested well, and are happy when they come home at night. What more could a parent ask for? Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, November 18, 2015

I've been a parent for 20 years and can tell you that the state-wide test score ratings are only a small part of what makes a great school. Having had children in 11 schools in three states, I can honestly say that Lincoln Heights Elementary is one of the best we've experienced. The staff are ALL kind, loving, and friendly. They look out for the children and care for their safety, their well-being, and their academic progress. There are many resources to help children and their families thrive; my own child is receiving tutoring at school. I really hope parents don't let whatever stigma exists about this school to sway their decisions. LH is absolutely where we know our children are receiving a quality school experience. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, October 29, 2009

I have requested a transfer for my child from Lincoln Heights. The area the school is in is AWFUL. We have been fortunate enough to get great teachers...but that does not excuse the rest of the school. There always grown men outside the school...no shirts on...just hanging out drinking beer right across the street from the ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. No one questions you when you enter the building. Any time I have gone into volunteer I simply walk in. No one bothers to ask who I am or where I am going. The school is completely unsafe and unacceptable. Close Quote

Schools Near Lincoln Heights 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 Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th 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
Lincoln Heights Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	307 Bridge St	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(919) 557-2587	667	45	14.7	35.8%	393 (58.9%)	103 (15.4%)	93 (13.9%)	51 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	25 (3.7%)	74.1	336^th of 1492 public elementary schools	77.5%		73.7	336^th of 1490 public elementary schools	77.4%		70.9	72.1	68.3	67.4	71.2	60.4	80.2	91.5%	4.2%	$13,231	$2,042	$11,189
Bowling Road Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1155 Bowling Road	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(919) 431-7400	0			—															(n/a)	62.8	50.6	63.5	56.9	43.2	52.7	75.7
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2255 Herbert Akins Rd	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 567-4100	988	69	14.3	32.0%	598 (60.5%)	144 (14.6%)	117 (11.8%)	63 (6.4%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	59 (6.0%)	80.7	235^th of 1492 public elementary schools	84.2%		77.8	282^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	81.1%	47	82.0	72.4	76.3	73.4	70.1	69.1	74.1	94.7%	0.9%	$9,017	$332	$8,685
Ballentine Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1651 North McLaurin Lane	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 557-1120	742	53	14.0	28.6%	463 (62.4%)	52 (7.0%)	155 (20.9%)	44 (5.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.6%)	85.2	178^th of 1492 public elementary schools	88.1%		86.8	148^th of 1490 public elementary schools	90.1%	30	78.0	76.1	80.2	75.4	77.1	68.7	82.4	98.3%	1.7%	$10,151	$476	$9,675
Buckhorn Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5651 Honeycutt Rd	Holly Springs	27540	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 694-8970	905	63	14.3	25.7%	443 (49.0%)	109 (12.0%)	125 (13.8%)	171 (18.9%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (5.9%)	90.9	99^th of 1492 public elementary schools	93.4%		85.9	159^th of 1490 public elementary schools	89.3%	60	85.1	87.2	88.6	68.6	78.7	74.0	92.6	96.7%	3.3%	$9,241	$405	$8,837
Northwest Harnett Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	736 Rollins Road	Fuquay Varina	27526	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 552-4547	645	36	17.8	42.5%	398 (61.7%)	67 (10.4%)	121 (18.8%)	15 (2.3%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (6.4%)	59.9	580^th of 1492 public elementary schools	61.1%		76.7	301^st of 1490 public elementary schools	79.8%	279	79.8	64.1	56.3	73.1	59.4	52.7	64.3	93.6%	6.4%	$8,479	$866	$7,613
Fuquay-Varina Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6600 Johnson Pond Rd	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 557-2566	772	51	15.2	35.9%	379 (49.1%)	123 (15.9%)	111 (14.4%)	100 (13.0%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (7.1%)	74	338^th of 1492 public elementary schools	77.3%		68.5	415^th of 1490 public elementary schools	72.1%	77	82.2	67.0	69.4	70.1	63.7	63.1	74.8	94.8%	3.1%	$9,010	$382	$8,627
South Lakes Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1449 Old Honeycutt Road	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 694-8066	774	52	14.9	25.5%	379 (49.0%)	109 (14.1%)	96 (12.4%)	153 (19.8%)	7 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	29 (3.7%)	78.5	260^th of 1492 public elementary schools	82.6%		71.9	365^th of 1490 public elementary schools	75.5%	105	72.7	75.0	74.8	66.4	71.7	68.7	78.3
Holly Grove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1451 Avent Ferry Road	Holly Springs	27540	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 577-1700	889	62	14.3	13.3%	582 (65.5%)	61 (6.9%)	73 (8.2%)	135 (15.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	35 (3.9%)	95	39^th of 1492 public elementary schools	97.4%		94.6	53^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	96.4%	14	86.1	87.7	90.6	84.4	86.3	85.5	89.9	95.5%	4.5%	$9,174	$517	$8,657
Holly Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	900 Holly Springs Road	Holly Springs	27540	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 577-1300	735	50	14.5	18.1%	515 (70.1%)	84 (11.4%)	58 (7.9%)	43 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (4.8%)	92.8	74^th of 1492 public elementary schools	95.0%		91.6	87^th of 1490 public elementary schools	94.2%	13	84.1	83.2	86.8	84.1	78.2	80.6	91.5	92.1%	3.9%	$9,223	$783	$8,440

Frequently Asked Questions about Lincoln Heights Elementary

What schools do graduates of Lincoln Heights Elementary attend?

Students who attend Lincoln Heights Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Fuquay-Varina Middle
High : Fuquay-Varina High
High : Wake Early College of Health and Science
High : Wake STEM Early College High School
High : Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
High : Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy

What district is Lincoln Heights Elementary in?

Wake County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Lincoln Heights Elementary?

Students at Lincoln Heights Elementary are 59% White, 15% African American, 14% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

How many students attend Lincoln Heights Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 667 students attended Lincoln Heights Elementary.

Is Lincoln Heights Elementary a good school?

Lincoln Heights Elementary ranks 336^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Lincoln Heights Elementary!

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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.