Summary:
Zip code 27551, serving Macon, North Carolina, contains just one public school, Vaughan Elementary, a PK–5 elementary school within Warren County Schools that enrolls 158 students in a high-poverty rural setting.
Vaughan Elementary is the only school in this area, so all attention falls on its recent momentum. In 2025–2026, the school improved its statewide ranking from the 29th percentile to the 48th, earning 2 out of 5 stars after a 1-star year. The standout gains came in math: 5th grade math proficiency soared from 40.9% to 75.0% — well above the district’s 46.4% and the state’s 62.9% — while 3rd grade math hit 72.2%, also exceeding the state average. Science results were strong too, with 66.7% of 5th graders proficient compared to just 42.9% districtwide. Even with 98.1% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school is outperforming its district in nearly every subject and grade combination. At the same time, reading remains a challenge: proficiency rates of 50.0% (3rd), 54.2% (4th), and 41.7% (5th) all trail North Carolina’s averages, especially in 5th grade where the state sits at 55.3%.
Parents should know that this is a small school, meaning year-to-year swings can reflect the makeup of a single class. The recent improvement is encouraging, but reading and chronic absenteeism are ongoing issues. Vaughan’s chronic absenteeism rate is 39.6% — better than Warren County’s 45.7% but nearly double the state’s 24.2%. Given the high level of economic need and small cohorts, the strong math and science results are especially noteworthy and suggest that instructional changes may be gaining traction. For families, Vaughan Elementary offers a tight-knit setting where recent academic growth, particularly in math and science, makes it a school to watch — while reading proficiency and attendance remain key areas for continued focus.
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