Whitnel Elementary

Summary:

Whitnel Elementary is a public elementary school in Lenoir, North Carolina, serving around 300 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Caldwell County Schools district, which is ranked 151 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Whitnel Elementary faces significant academic challenges, consistently underperforming compared to state and district averages in both math and reading proficiency across all grade levels. For example, the school's 3rd-grade math proficiency was 64.7% in 2023-2024, compared to the state average of 62.7% and the district average of 61.1%. The school's 5th-grade reading proficiency was even lower at 36.1%, compared to the state average of 50.3% and the district average of 44.3%. Whitnel Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom third of North Carolina elementary schools, with a 0 to 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Whitnel Elementary's struggles are particularly concerning for certain student subgroups, such as Hispanic, White, and low-income students, who consistently perform in the bottom 10-20% or 25-35% of North Carolina elementary schools in math and reading. Despite having relatively small class sizes and higher per-student funding than nearby schools like Granite Falls Elementary and Sawmills Elementary, the school's academic performance issues suggest that addressing the root causes will require a multifaceted approach beyond just resource allocation.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1425 Berkley Street SW
       Lenoir, NC  28645


(828) 728-6423

District: Caldwell County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1035th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,973 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  12.1 Help
Number of students:  300

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.0%
Hispanic:
19.7%
Two or more races:
7.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Whitnel Elementary ranks worse than 68.8% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 10th among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Caldwell County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.58. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (67%), Hispanic (19.7%), two or more races (7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Whitnel Elementary is 12.1, which is the 3rd best among 13 elementary schools in the Caldwell County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Whitnel Elementary employs 24.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Whitnel Elementary is $11,973, which is the 3rd highest among 13 elementary schools in the Caldwell County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Whitnel Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Whitnel Elementary 1035th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Whitnel Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Caldwell County Schools:

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


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Rank History for Whitnel Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 32.07 981st 1276 23.1%
2007 15.72 1171st 1293 9.4%
2008 13.85 1203rd 1324 9.1%
2009 24.22 1101st 1354 18.7%
2010 8.97 1297th 1363 4.8%
2011 16.30 1251st 1381 9.4%
2012 40.44 937th 1388 32.5%
2013 27.86 1064th 1403 24.2%
2014 38.20 885th 1390 36.3%
2015 34.09 1017th 1440 29.4%
2016 35.95 988th 1425 30.7%
2017 41.56 896th 1429 37.3%
2018 34.36 1016th 1434 29.1%
2019 35.87 1006th 1473 31.7%
2021 18.62 1231st 1489 17.3%
2022 19.92 1269th 1514 16.2%
2023 11.95 1389th 1502 7.5%
2024 33.58 1035th 1505 31.2%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.97 565th 1332 57.6%
2019 55.65 563rd 1361 58.6%
2021 37.25 833rd 1329 37.3%
2022 28.16 1073rd 1366 21.4%
2023 23.33 1204th 1437 16.2%
2024 49.77 704th 1450 51.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.73 968th 1405 31.1%
2019 31.43 1054th 1424 26.0%
2021 19.74 1198th 1440 16.8%
2022 8.82 1403rd 1458 3.8%
2023 11.59 1368th 1459 6.2%
2024 32.20 1053rd 1455 27.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.65 530th 897 40.9%
2021 23.67 560th 646 13.3%
2022 42.70 309th 634 51.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 65.32 118th 612 80.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.79 1043rd 1413 26.2%
2019 40.04 917th 1430 35.9%
2021 26.61 1052nd 1444 27.1%
2022 39.51 904th 1464 38.3%
2023 18.63 1259th 1461 13.8%
2024 35.35 984th 1464 32.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.38 705th 851 17.2%
2023 11.19 894th 915 2.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Whitnel Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.38 1031st 1178 12.5%
2019 22.59 1028th 1183 13.1%
2021 3.06 1170th 1172 0.2%
2022 9.70 1154th 1194 3.4%
2023 3.58 1170th 1183 1.1%
2024 20.76 1015th 1166 13.0%
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.

Whitnel Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Whitnel Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 602 44 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 648
1989 570 45 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 618
1990 485 36 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 524
1991 451 31 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 488
1992 419 35 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 458
1993 422 35 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 461
1994 441 43 2 1 0 n/a n/a 27 514
1995 427 41 15 5 0 n/a n/a 0 488
1996 427 41 15 5 0 n/a n/a 0 488
1997 422 56 13 1 0 n/a n/a 0 492
1998 405 51 14 1 1 n/a n/a -11 461
1999 403 52 11 2 1 n/a n/a 0 469
2000 385 44 12 6 3 n/a n/a 0 450
2001 345 41 9 21 0 n/a n/a 0 416
2002 262 40 10 27 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2003 262 40 10 27 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2004 248 49 10 25 0 n/a n/a 0 332
2005 239 52 10 35 0 n/a n/a 0 336
2006 231 46 8 30 0 n/a n/a 0 315
2007 248 37 8 35 0 n/a n/a 34 362
2008 263 41 6 50 0 n/a n/a 34 394
2009 257 74 6 56 0 n/a n/a 0 393
2010 256 70 5 62 1 n/a n/a 0 394
2011 254 30 4 64 1 0 28 0 381
2012 255 20 2 65 0 0 33 0 375
2013 229 18 2 76 0 0 28 0 353
2014 221 16 3 57 0 0 23 0 320
2015 224 17 5 66 0 0 22 0 334
2016 211 18 7 49 1 0 23 0 309
2017 175 17 5 56 1 0 26 0 280
2018 216 30 6 67 1 1 23 0 344
2019 204 24 6 52 2 1 22 0 311
2020 197 19 5 56 1 1 18 0 297
2021 196 15 5 44 0 0 14 0 274
2022 202 11 8 45 0 0 20 0 286
2023 201 14 5 59 0 0 21 0 300

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 Whitnel Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 648 37.0 17.5 25.5
1989 618 40.0 15.4 35.6
1990 524 36.0 14.5 45
1991 488 40.0 12.2 48.4
1992 458 37.0 12.3 28.8
1993 461 34.0 13.6 39
1994 514 35.0 14.7 35.3
1995 488 33.0 14.8 40.6
1996 488 33.0 14.8 40.6
1997 492 34.0 14.5 40.9
1998 461 36.0 12.8 46.6
1999 469 38.0 12.3 52.7
2000 450 36.0 12.5 56.7
2001 416 36.0 11.6 62
2002 339 36.0 9.4 0
2003 339 36.0 9.4 0
2004 332 36.0 9.2 87
2005 336 36.0 9.3 99.1
2006 315 36.0 8.8 76.2
2007 362 n/a n/a 82
2008 394 31.2 12.6 83.9
2009 393 33.0 11.9 79.6
2010 394 31.7 12.4 74.9
2011 381 32.3 11.7 81.9
2012 375 30.0 12.4 83.2
2013 353 29.5 11.9 88.1
2014 320 28.9 11.0 90
2015 334 28.0 11.9 79.6
2016 309 24.0 12.8 99
2017 280 23.9 11.6 98.9
2018 344 27.2 12.6 98.5
2019 311 24.2 12.8 99
2020 297 21.2 13.9 82.2
2021 274 22.2 12.3 74.5
2022 286 21.2 13.4 99
2023 300 24.6 12.1 99

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 Whitnel Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 648 37.0 17.5 25.5
1989 618 40.0 15.4 35.6
1990 524 36.0 14.5 45
1991 488 40.0 12.2 48.4
1992 458 37.0 12.3 28.8
1993 461 34.0 13.6 39
1994 514 35.0 14.7 35.3
1995 488 33.0 14.8 40.6
1996 488 33.0 14.8 40.6
1997 492 34.0 14.5 40.9
1998 461 36.0 12.8 46.6
1999 469 38.0 12.3 52.7
2000 450 36.0 12.5 56.7
2001 416 36.0 11.6 62
2002 339 36.0 9.4 0
2003 339 36.0 9.4 0
2004 332 36.0 9.2 87
2005 336 36.0 9.3 99.1
2006 315 36.0 8.8 76.2
2007 362 n/a n/a 82
2008 394 31.2 12.6 83.9
2009 393 33.0 11.9 79.6
2010 394 31.7 12.4 74.9
2011 381 32.3 11.7 81.9
2012 375 30.0 12.4 83.2
2013 353 29.5 11.9 88.1
2014 320 28.9 11.0 90
2015 334 28.0 11.9 79.6
2016 309 24.0 12.8 99
2017 280 23.9 11.6 98.9
2018 344 27.2 12.6 98.5
2019 311 24.2 12.8 99
2020 297 21.2 13.9 82.2
2021 274 22.2 12.3 74.5
2022 286 21.2 13.4 99
2023 300 24.6 12.1 99

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 Whitnel Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,307 (10.9%) $10,666 (89.1%) $11,973

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Whitnel 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 1006th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 1389th of 1502 Elementary schools
 24.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Whitnel Elementary)4535.5
 9.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Caldwell County Schools)60.351.5
 8.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Whitnel Elementary)56.132.3
 23.8%
   3rd Grade Reading (Caldwell County Schools)58.843.4
 15.4%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Whitnel Elementary)35.839.5
 3.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Caldwell County Schools)53.646.2
 7.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Whitnel Elementary)49.134.2
 14.9%
   4th Grade Reading (Caldwell County Schools)60.546.7
 13.8%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Whitnel Elementary)41.320
 21.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Caldwell County Schools)58.848
 10.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Whitnel Elementary)56.522.2
 34.3%
   5th Grade Reading (Caldwell County Schools)6044.1
 15.9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Whitnel Elementary)78.331.1
 47.2%
   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 Students311300
 3.5%
African American2414
 41.7%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian65
 16.7%
Hispanic5259
 13.5%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White204201
 1.5%
Two or More Races2221
 4.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients99%99%
 0%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Whitnel Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 300 students attended Whitnel Elementary.

Students at Whitnel Elementary are 67% White, 20% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 5% African American, 2% Asian.

Whitnel Elementary ranks 1035th 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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