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Sawmills Elementary

Summary:

Sawmills Elementary is a public elementary school located in Granite Falls, North Carolina, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 331. The school is part of the Caldwell County Schools district, which is ranked 151 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sawmills Elementary has a predominantly white student population (83.08%), with a higher percentage of Hispanic students (12.99%) compared to the state average. The school's academic performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better in EOG (End-of-Grade) tests, is generally below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 37.5% in 5th grade reading to 64.3% in 3rd grade math, compared to the state averages of 50.3% and 62.7%, respectively. The school's performance has declined over the years, with proficiency rates dropping in most subject areas and grade levels.

Sawmills Elementary's performance is generally lower than that of nearby schools, such as Granite Falls Elementary and Baton Elementary, which are also part of the Caldwell County Schools district. These nearby schools have higher proficiency rates, better statewide rankings, and lower percentages of economically disadvantaged students. Additionally, Sawmills Elementary's performance is particularly low for its white and Hispanic student subgroups, ranking in the bottom 20% of North Carolina elementary schools in recent years.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 4436 Sawmills School Road
       Granite Falls, NC  28630-9488

(828) 396-2610

District: Caldwell County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1033rd of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,245 Help


Students who attend Sawmills Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Hudson Middle
High:    South Caldwell High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  336

Racial breakdown:

White:
78.9%
Hispanic:
13.7%
Two or more races:
4.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.1% Help


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 Compare Sawmills Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Sawmills Elementary ranks worse than 68.6% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 9th among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Caldwell County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.8. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (78.9%), Hispanic (13.7%), two or more races (4.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sawmills Elementary is 14.3. 8 elementary schools in the Caldwell County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sawmills Elementary employs 23.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sawmills Elementary is $11,245, which is the 5th highest among 13 elementary schools in the Caldwell County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sawmills Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Sawmills Elementary 1033rd of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Sawmills Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Caldwell County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Caldwell County Schools 151st of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Sawmills Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 55.08 622nd 1276 51.3%
2007 53.79 674th 1293 47.9%
2008 67.85 389th 1324 70.6%
2009 53.26 722nd 1354 46.7%
2010 59.19 630th 1363 53.8%
2011 62.71 574th 1381 58.4%
2012 70.59 390th 1388 71.9%
2013 36.90 904th 1403 35.6%
2014 40.56 842nd 1390 39.4%
2015 45.27 822nd 1440 42.9%
2016 55.28 632nd 1425 55.6%
2017 53.49 690th 1429 51.7%
2018 54.53 670th 1434 53.3%
2019 62.05 543rd 1473 63.1%
2021 34.68 944th 1489 36.6%
2022 29.14 1108th 1514 26.8%
2023 18.31 1282nd 1502 14.6%
2024 33.80 1033rd 1505 31.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.37 505th 1332 62.1%
2019 81.98 136th 1361 90.0%
2021 52.73 537th 1329 59.6%
2022 43.01 785th 1366 42.5%
2023 24.18 1187th 1437 17.4%
2024 41.78 896th 1450 38.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.27 474th 1405 66.3%
2019 82.92 168th 1424 88.2%
2021 30.33 1000th 1440 30.6%
2022 25.63 1153rd 1458 20.9%
2023 17.65 1286th 1459 11.9%
2024 32.20 1052nd 1455 27.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.71 160th 897 82.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.37 822nd 1413 41.8%
2019 43.52 853rd 1430 40.3%
2021 39.73 856th 1444 40.7%
2022 34.04 999th 1464 31.8%
2023 22.17 1191st 1461 18.5%
2024 35.82 973rd 1464 33.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 27.35 761st 951 20.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Sawmills Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.21 965th 1178 18.1%
2019 35.30 846th 1183 28.5%
2021 12.42 1120th 1172 4.4%
2022 13.37 1119th 1194 6.3%
2023 4.64 1162nd 1183 1.8%
2024 16.88 1071st 1166 8.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sawmills Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Sawmills Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 391 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1989 391 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 392
1990 312 0 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 315
1991 331 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a -1 330
1992 322 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 323
1993 345 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 346
1994 314 1 0 7 1 n/a n/a 0 323
1995 392 1 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 395
1996 392 1 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 395
1997 369 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 372
1998 412 3 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1999 421 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 424
2000 428 3 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 435
2001 403 1 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 411
2002 347 7 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2003 347 7 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2004 379 8 0 14 0 n/a n/a 0 401
2005 370 12 0 22 0 n/a n/a 0 404
2006 367 7 0 29 2 n/a n/a 0 405
2007 404 1 0 35 4 n/a n/a 10 454
2008 369 1 2 30 3 n/a n/a 9 414
2009 344 10 1 38 3 n/a n/a 0 396
2010 308 13 4 27 1 n/a n/a 0 353
2011 309 3 2 31 2 0 9 0 356
2012 282 2 3 33 0 0 11 0 331
2013 272 4 2 29 0 0 11 0 318
2014 265 2 3 25 0 0 12 0 307
2015 264 2 4 39 0 0 13 0 322
2016 298 0 4 47 0 0 14 0 363
2017 316 2 2 49 0 0 15 0 384
2018 272 3 1 40 1 0 16 0 333
2019 274 9 2 41 1 0 13 0 340
2020 284 5 3 38 0 0 14 0 344
2021 241 6 2 45 0 0 6 0 300
2022 261 6 3 47 1 0 7 0 325
2023 275 2 3 43 2 0 6 0 331
2024 265 4 4 46 2 0 15 0 336

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sawmills Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 391 21.0 18.6 22.8
1989 392 24.0 16.3 36
1990 315 22.0 14.3 38.1
1991 330 23.0 14.3 36.4
1992 323 22.0 14.6 31.3
1993 346 21.0 16.5 36.1
1994 323 21.0 15.4 44.9
1995 395 21.0 18.8 36.2
1996 395 21.0 18.8 36.2
1997 372 22.0 16.9 41.7
1998 417 29.0 14.4 34.5
1999 424 29.0 14.6 43.6
2000 435 29.0 15.0 48.7
2001 411 29.0 14.2 54.3
2002 363 29.0 12.5 0
2003 363 29.0 12.5 0
2004 401 31.0 12.9 50.1
2005 404 31.0 13.0 53.7
2006 405 31.0 13.1 48.9
2007 454 n/a n/a 49.8
2008 414 26.3 15.7 50.9
2009 396 24.3 16.3 48.7
2010 353 21.2 16.6 53.5
2011 356 22.2 16.0 53.9
2012 331 22.2 14.9 52.6
2013 318 19.3 16.4 53.1
2014 307 19.5 15.7 54.4
2015 322 19.0 16.9 59.6
2016 363 24.0 15.1 59
2017 384 25.4 15.1 59.4
2018 333 24.4 13.6 65.2
2019 340 25.3 13.3 57.6
2020 344 25.2 13.6 61.3
2021 300 26.1 11.4 58
2022 325 23.7 13.6 47.1
2023 331 24.7 13.3 74
2024 336 23.4 14.3 99.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sawmills Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 391 21.0 18.6 22.8
1989 392 24.0 16.3 36
1990 315 22.0 14.3 38.1
1991 330 23.0 14.3 36.4
1992 323 22.0 14.6 31.3
1993 346 21.0 16.5 36.1
1994 323 21.0 15.4 44.9
1995 395 21.0 18.8 36.2
1996 395 21.0 18.8 36.2
1997 372 22.0 16.9 41.7
1998 417 29.0 14.4 34.5
1999 424 29.0 14.6 43.6
2000 435 29.0 15.0 48.7
2001 411 29.0 14.2 54.3
2002 363 29.0 12.5 0
2003 363 29.0 12.5 0
2004 401 31.0 12.9 50.1
2005 404 31.0 13.0 53.7
2006 405 31.0 13.1 48.9
2007 454 n/a n/a 49.8
2008 414 26.3 15.7 50.9
2009 396 24.3 16.3 48.7
2010 353 21.2 16.6 53.5
2011 356 22.2 16.0 53.9
2012 331 22.2 14.9 52.6
2013 318 19.3 16.4 53.1
2014 307 19.5 15.7 54.4
2015 322 19.0 16.9 59.6
2016 363 24.0 15.1 59
2017 384 25.4 15.1 59.4
2018 333 24.4 13.6 65.2
2019 340 25.3 13.3 57.6
2020 344 25.2 13.6 61.3
2021 300 26.1 11.4 58
2022 325 23.7 13.6 47.1
2023 331 24.7 13.3 74
2024 336 23.4 14.3 99.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sawmills Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $974 (8.7%) $10,271 (91.3%) $11,245

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sawmills Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 543rd of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 1282nd of 1502 Elementary schools
 48.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Sawmills Elementary)72.148.1
 24%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Caldwell County Schools)60.351.5
 8.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Sawmills Elementary)69.832.7
 37.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Caldwell County Schools)58.843.4
 15.4%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Sawmills Elementary)69.638.5
 31.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Caldwell County Schools)53.646.2
 7.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Sawmills Elementary)76.134.6
 41.5%
   4th Grade Reading (Caldwell County Schools)60.546.7
 13.8%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sawmills Elementary)48.424.5
 23.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Caldwell County Schools)58.848
 10.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Sawmills Elementary)54.734.7
 20%
   5th Grade Reading (Caldwell County Schools)6044.1
 15.9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Sawmills Elementary)7542.9
 32.1%
   5th Grade Science (Caldwell County Schools)75.160
 15.1%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students340331
 2.6%
African American92
 77.8%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian23
 50%
Hispanic4143
 4.9%
Pacific Islander00
White274275
 0.4%
Two or More Races136
 53.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients57.6%74%
 16.4%

Schools Near Sawmills Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Sawmills Elementary

Students who attend Sawmills Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hudson Middle
High : South Caldwell High

Students at Sawmills Elementary are 79% White, 14% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 1% African American, 1% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 336 students attended Sawmills Elementary.

Sawmills Elementary ranks 1033rd of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars 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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