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Timber Drive Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5
1068th
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 1,490 North Carolina Elementary Schools
Better than 28% of North Carolina elementary schools
Summary

Timber Drive Elementary is a public elementary school in Garner, North Carolina, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 383 students. The school is part of the Wake County Schools district, which is ranked 60th out of 242 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Academically, Timber Drive Elementary has struggled in recent years, ranking in the bottom half of North Carolina elementary schools. In the 2024-2025 school year, it ranked 1,068th out of 1,490 elementary schools in the state, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's proficiency rates on End-of-Grade (EOG) tests in Mathematics, Reading, and Science consistently lag behind the district and state averages. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's 3rd-grade Mathematics proficiency rate was 63%, compared to 71.1% for the district and 64.1% for the state.

Timber Drive Elementary has a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 65.54% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year. This is significantly higher than nearby schools like Fuller Elementary (34.06%), Rand Road Elementary (48.47%), and Bryan Road Elementary (37.96%), which have lower percentages of students from low-income families. Despite its proximity to these higher-performing schools, Timber Drive Elementary continues to struggle academically, suggesting the school may face unique challenges that need to be addressed.

391
Students ?
12.5
Student/teacher ratio ?
$11,614
Per pupil spending ?
99.2%
Free/discounted lunch ?
 1601 Timber Drive
       Garner, NC  27529

(919) 773-9500

District: Wake County Schools


Students who attend Timber Drive Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    North Garner Middle
High:    Garner High
    Wake Early College of Health and Science
    Wake STEM Early College High School
    Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
    More...
Racial breakdown:

White:
35.3%
African American:
33.2%
Hispanic:
22.5%
more
 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Timber Drive Elementary to nearby elementary schools!
At a glance
▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 50th percentile in 2015 → 28th in 2025
Worth a look
!Test scores below the North Carolina average (46% vs 57% meeting standards)
!Ranking has slipped — down 22 percentile points since 2015
!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing
Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?
This school46%
District avg66%
North Carolina avg57%
1,068th of 1,490
North Carolina public elementary schools ?
Bottom 28%▼ down 22 pts since 2015
From top 50% (2015) to bottom 28% (2025)
See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
100th of 115Elementary Schools in the Wake County Schools
60th of 242Wake 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

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202531.31068 of 149028.3%★☆☆☆☆
202430.51087 of 150527.8%★☆☆☆☆
202334.31018 of 150232.2%★★☆☆☆
202267.5441 of 151470.9%★★★★☆
202147.5743 of 148950.1%★★★☆☆
201933.11051 of 147328.6%★☆☆☆☆
201834.51011 of 143429.5%★☆☆☆☆
201726.61127 of 142921.1%★☆☆☆☆
201641.3904 of 142536.6%★★☆☆☆
201552.1713 of 144050.5%★★★☆☆
201459.2552 of 139060.3%★★★☆☆
201371.4334 of 140376.2%★★★★☆
201265.4501 of 138863.9%★★★☆☆
201154.0727 of 138147.4%★★☆☆☆
201038.5949 of 136330.4%★★☆☆☆
200937.3947 of 135430.1%★★☆☆☆
200855.1631 of 132452.3%★★★☆☆
200771.7312 of 129375.9%★★★★☆
200680.3174 of 127686.4%★★★★☆

African American

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202526.0751 of 91818.2%★☆☆☆☆
202426.2752 of 92418.6%★☆☆☆☆
202320.3826 of 93311.5%★☆☆☆☆
202265.3231 of 92775.1%★★★★☆
202144.7436 of 89651.3%★★★☆☆
201931.4716 of 94924.6%★☆☆☆☆
201837.2612 of 92734.0%★★☆☆☆

Disabled

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
201819.4834 of 8977.0%☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
20189.7419 of 4210.5%☆☆☆☆☆

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202538.6921 of 145136.5%★★☆☆☆
202433.31035 of 145528.9%★☆☆☆☆
202331.61048 of 145928.2%★☆☆☆☆
202259.0573 of 145860.7%★★★☆☆
202148.9697 of 144051.6%★★★☆☆
201927.61124 of 142421.1%★☆☆☆☆
201837.2971 of 140530.9%★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202530.3652 of 7108.2%☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202517.2883 of 9618.1%☆☆☆☆☆
20244.8949 of 9510.2%☆☆☆☆☆
202323.8770 of 91515.8%★☆☆☆☆
20194.2863 of 8650.2%☆☆☆☆☆
201813.7816 of 8514.1%☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202532.81059 of 143726.3%★☆☆☆☆
202424.61227 of 145015.4%★☆☆☆☆
202319.61265 of 143712.0%★☆☆☆☆
202260.1447 of 136667.3%★★★☆☆
202136.4842 of 132936.6%★★☆☆☆
201918.61229 of 13619.7%☆☆☆☆☆
201822.61136 of 133214.7%★☆☆☆☆

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202527.01125 of 145022.4%★☆☆☆☆
202428.91102 of 146424.7%★☆☆☆☆
202338.0951 of 146134.9%★★☆☆☆
202273.0336 of 146477.0%★★★★☆
202145.5757 of 144447.6%★★☆☆☆
201942.8866 of 143039.4%★★☆☆☆
201834.51012 of 141328.4%★☆☆☆☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankNorth Carolina percentileRating
202553.9539 of 117254.0%★★★☆☆
202449.4621 of 116646.7%★★☆☆☆
202353.3569 of 118351.9%★★★☆☆
202255.4538 of 119454.9%★★★☆☆
202146.1634 of 117245.9%★★☆☆☆
201944.0710 of 118340.0%★★☆☆☆
201853.1597 of 117849.3%★★☆☆☆
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)
White (2025)54th percentile+26 vs school
Female (2025)37th percentile+8 vs school
Low Socio Economic Status (2025)26th percentile~ school
Male (2025)22nd percentile-6 vs school
African American (2025)18th percentile-10 vs school
Gifted and Talented (2025)8th percentile-20 vs school
Hispanic (2025)8th percentile-20 vs school
Disabled (2018)7th percentile-22 vs school
English Language Learner (2018)<1st percentile-29 vs school
By subject vs North Carolina (2024-2025) ?
Mathematics49%-12 vs state
Science48%-14 vs state
Reading44%-9 vs state

5.0
16 ratings · 13 written reviews
5★16
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0
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What people are saying
by a parent
Sunday, September 5, 2021

Open Quote Timber drive really is a great school!! The principal Dr. Kocher and the teachers are beyond wonderful!! The teachers and staff are supportive, caring to each and every student. They have always made a point to keep me informed. I know TDES will go above and beyond to keep my daughter safe and to support her academically and emotionally. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote My twins started Kindergarten at Timber Drive this year and we have loved every moment of it. Sending your first one off to “big kid” school is not an easy task but Dr Kocher, the principal made us feel like family when he guided our personal tour when we were checking out possible schools. I’ve volunteered a few times since they started school and I have enjoyed getting to know the staff and fellow parents of other students. We are very happy with Timber Drive and look forward to the next 5+ years there. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote We have been very happy with this school. My daughter had gone here since kindergarten, great teachers, good principal, family atmosphere. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote We absolutely love Timber Drive Elementary. My son’s teacher is amazing and we are always informed. I’m still trying to understand how the rating is a 1 star. My son looks forward to going to school everyday and is learning more and more everyday he comes home. So grateful for TDE! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote DONT go by a star rating go to person to this school and take a tour. You won’t be disappointed. Meet Dr. Kocher and the staff. You’ll love them. It was a big decision to make taking my child from a top rated private school to a public one and I am not the least bit reluctant I did. My child is loved and thriving. Very impressed with this school. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote We absolutely LOVE Timber Drive! My son has been a student there for 4 years now and we couldn't be happier. The teachers and support staff go above and beyond for each and every student and really make it feel like one big family. The change in administration a few years ago really seemed to help the school blossom into something wonderful. The family outreach and immersion each quarter with family nights really helps keep you included as a parent and the ability to volunteer adds to that feeling. I look forward to having my younger son start next year! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote We have interviewed several schools before enrolling my little one after moving to Garner. Timber Elementary stood far out from the rest. Not only did we meet the principal himself, a guided tour of the school and all our questions answered, very impressed with the high level of technological involvement for students already starting at the youngest level without jeopardizing the important other school aspects. Their security is top-notch. They know each child by name and greet them every morning in carpool. My little one loves her teachers, communication is always quick and the school is clean. Cafeteria offers a nice variety of food options even for picky eaters. The enrollment process was explained in depth and easy to follow. We were very happy to get in. This is a year round school track 4 which works best with my work schedule and our family live. I can highly recommend Timber Elementary. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote Timber drive has the best administration and teachers. The PTA is amazing. I am shocked to see such a a low score! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote My daughter is a fifth grader at Timber Drive. We have been a member of the Timber Drive family since kindergarten. I say family because that's what it is. There isn't another school I could imagine sending my daughter to. There have been some changes over the years, each one improving upon the one before. Dr. Kocher is an awesome asset, along with the entire admin team and the amazing PTA we have. Teachers have been wonderful. They all have their strengths with the children, but we have had beyond wonderful teachers many of the years we have been here. I would recommend this school in a heartbeat! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote This is an amazing, supportive and caring school. We love this school and my kid is extremely happy. The principal is one of a kind, he cares about his students and their families . The teachers are exceptional everyone on them. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Open Quote We absolutely love Timber Drive! Dr.Kocher is so good with the kids, we always see him around the school greeting each kid by their names and he’s always trying to find new fun ways to the kids to get excited to go to school. Simple things like playing music in carpool so the kids get excited to walk in the door. Family fun nights and teaching us parents what our kids are learning in school! The entire front office staff is exceptional! We’ve been there for 2 years and our daughter has LOVED both her teachers. They’re not only encouraginf and king but have taught our daughter so much and we are so impressed with how much she’s learned! Our parents are so active in the school and the PTA is so present helping out in so many ways! Beyond thankful for this school!! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, November 21, 2019

Open Quote The admin team is awesome - super supportive of teachers, parents & students alike. Parents are encouraged & welcome to engage and participate in the goings on at school. We have a strong PTA with many hands making light work...and are appreciated & supported by the admin and teachers/staff. On paper our test scores may not be at the top, bc well standardized testing....but our students, admin & teacher are no doubt top notch! Close Quote


by a parent
Saturday, April 18, 2015

Open Quote Timber Drive ES is an excellent school. The staff and teachers are so caring and helpful. When you enter the school, it feels like a friendly and warm atmosphere. Timber Drive has a very involved PTA and the school is known for being like a family that includes staff, parents, and students. Close Quote




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Frequently Asked Questions about Timber Drive Elementary

In the 2024-25 school year, 391 students attended Timber Drive Elementary.

Students at Timber Drive Elementary are 35% White, 33% African American, 23% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Timber Drive Elementary ranks 1068th of 1490 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.


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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.




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