Summary:
Zip code 28042 is home to just one public elementary school, Fallston Elementary, serving grades PK through 5 with 502 students in the Cleveland County area of North Carolina. Because this is the only elementary school in the zip code, the analysis focuses entirely on how Fallston performs relative to its district and state averages, as well as how it has changed over time.
Fallston Elementary is a standout school on a strong upward trajectory. Its state ranking improved dramatically from the 38th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 68th percentile in 2025–2026, meaning it now ranks in the upper third of all elementary schools in North Carolina. The school excels in science, with 5th grade proficiency reaching 82.2% compared to 73.1% for Cleveland County Schools and 67.7% statewide. Early-grade math is another strength, as 3rd grade math proficiency hit 78.7%, well above the state average of 66.4%. Even more impressive, 4th grade math proficiency jumped from 43.2% to 64.8% in a single year. The school also maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.8 to 1, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 19.7% is lower than both the district and state averages, which is especially notable given that 99.4% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
While Fallston Elementary outperforms state averages in most subjects, its weakest area is 5th grade reading, where proficiency slipped slightly to 46.6%—trailing the district's 52.9% and the state's 55.3%. This is a clear priority for improvement. Overall, the school’s steady gains in math and science, combined with lower-than-average absenteeism and a supportive staffing structure, position it as a resilient and improving school within Cleveland County Schools. For parents, this is a school that is moving in the right direction despite significant economic challenges.
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