Schools in Zip Code 28761

Zip code 28761, which covers the Nebo area of North Carolina, contains a single school: Nebo Elementary School, a PK-5 elementary school within McDowell County Schools. Because there are no middle or high schools in this zip code, Nebo Elementary is the only educational option in the immediate area, and students must leave the community for later grades. The school enrolls 354 students and serves an overwhelmingly economically disadvantaged population, with 99.15% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch. A standout achievement for Nebo is its improving state ranking: the school moved from the 33rd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 53rd percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating from North Carolina.

Academically, Nebo shows a pattern of strong early-grade performance followed by challenges in upper elementary math. In the most recent 2025-2026 school year, 3rd graders outperformed both the district and state in reading and math, with 60% proficient in reading and 70.8% in math. However, by 4th and 5th grade, math proficiency dropped to 53.7% and 53.4%, respectively, below state averages of 61.4% and 62.9%. Reading results were more mixed, but 5th grade reading (58.6%) exceeded both district and state averages. From 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, Nebo saw dramatic gains in 3rd grade math (46.2 to 70.8) and reading (42.3 to 60.0), although 4th grade scores declined in both subjects, suggesting some inconsistency across grade levels and cohorts.

One major concern for parents is chronic absenteeism. In 2024-2025, 34.3% of Nebo students were chronically absent, far exceeding the district rate of 26.5% and the state rate of 24.2%. Given the school's near-universal poverty level, attendance is likely a key factor influencing achievement. The lack of middle and high schools in the zip code also means students face a transition to a different campus after 5th grade, which can be disruptive. Overall, Nebo Elementary is a high-poverty school showing real signs of academic improvement, but sustained success will require efforts to reduce absenteeism and strengthen math performance beyond 3rd grade.