Summary:
Zip code 28147 in Salisbury, North Carolina contains three public elementary schools—Knollwood Elementary, Isenberg Elementary, and Hurley Elementary—all serving grades PK-5 within the Rowan-Salisbury Schools district, an area where nearly every student faces economic disadvantage.
Isenberg Elementary is the clear academic leader in this group. It is the only school to earn a 1-star state rating in recent years, with average EOG proficiency around 43% and a statewide percentile in the mid-teens. In 2024-2025, its 5th grade science proficiency reached 71.3%, surpassing both district and state averages. Knollwood Elementary is the most improved school, with average EOG proficiency jumping from 27% to 39% in one year and climbing from the 1st to the 7th statewide percentile; its 5th grade math proficiency surged from 27.7% to 55.3%. Hurley Elementary remains the most challenged, with the lowest proficiency rates and no subject-area average exceeding its district counterpart. Its 4th grade math proficiency was just 9.6% in 2025-2026, far below state averages. Hurley also has the smallest classes and highest per-pupil spending, yet its academic results lag behind Knollwood and Isenberg by 13 to 18 percentage points, showing that more resources alone do not guarantee higher achievement.
All three schools serve student bodies where 95-100% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and chronic absenteeism is exceptionally high—ranging from 30% at Knollwood to over 40% at Hurley and Isenberg, compared to a 24% state average. Despite similar poverty and attendance challenges, Isenberg outperforms Hurley by roughly 18 points, suggesting school-level factors matter. Early-grade math is a widespread weakness, while 5th grade science is a relative strength. For parents, Isenberg stands out as the most consistently solid choice, Knollwood deserves attention for its fast upward momentum, and Hurley may require careful consideration of math support and attendance patterns.
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