Costner Elementary

Summary:

Costner Elementary is a public elementary school in Dallas, North Carolina, serving 485 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Gaston County Schools district, which is ranked 158 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating.

Costner Elementary has a higher percentage of White students (61.65%) compared to nearby schools like Woodhill Elementary, which has a majority African American and Hispanic student population. Academically, Costner's performance on EOG tests is generally lower than the district and state averages, though it outperforms in 5th-grade science. The school's performance also varies significantly across student subgroups, with strong results for African American students but lower ratings for Hispanic and White students. Additionally, Costner has seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 38.17% to 62.68%, indicating a growing population of economically disadvantaged students.

Costner Elementary's statewide ranking has declined over the past several years, from 571 out of 1,390 North Carolina elementary schools in 2013-2014 to 1,071 out of 1,505 in 2023-2024. This suggests the school's performance has not kept pace with the state's overall improvement. When compared to nearby schools, Costner generally performs better than lower-ranked schools like Edward D. Sadler Junior Elementary, but lags behind higher-performing schools like Pleasant Ridge Elementary. To address these challenges, the school and Gaston County Schools may need to implement targeted interventions and explore strategies to support the diverse needs of Costner's student population.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 353 Old 277 Loop Hwy
       Dallas, NC  28034-9801


(704) 922-3522

District: Gaston County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1071st of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,693 Help


Students who attend Costner Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    W C Friday Middle School
High:    North Gaston High

Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  453

Racial breakdown:

White:
66.4%
African American:
16.3%
Hispanic:
12.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Costner Elementary ranks worse than 71.2% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 14th among 26 ranked elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.59. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Costner Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (66.4%), African American (16.3%), Hispanic (12.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Costner Elementary is 15.3. 18 elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Costner Elementary employs 29.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Costner Elementary is $9,693, which is the 10th highest among 26 elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Costner Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Costner Elementary 1071st of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Costner Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Gaston County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Gaston County Schools 158th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Costner Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 59.19 553rd 1276 56.7%
2007 73.35 289th 1293 77.6%
2008 68.92 372nd 1324 71.9%
2009 58.80 637th 1354 53.0%
2010 60.06 611th 1363 55.2%
2011 56.20 682nd 1381 50.6%
2012 66.00 478th 1388 65.6%
2013 64.75 442nd 1403 68.5%
2014 58.12 571st 1390 58.9%
2015 53.60 690th 1440 52.1%
2016 42.43 886th 1425 37.8%
2017 44.76 835th 1429 41.6%
2018 47.11 798th 1434 44.4%
2019 42.54 881st 1473 40.2%
2021 60.45 566th 1489 62.0%
2022 43.68 847th 1514 44.1%
2023 48.29 789th 1502 47.5%
2024 31.59 1071st 1505 28.8%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 30.44 590th 801 26.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.97 811th 1332 39.1%
2019 46.94 752nd 1361 44.7%
2021 55.19 490th 1329 63.1%
2022 32.99 971st 1366 28.9%
2023 46.60 776th 1437 46.0%
2024 24.23 1235th 1450 14.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.94 650th 1405 53.7%
2019 52.25 710th 1424 50.1%
2021 68.85 378th 1440 73.8%
2022 41.54 859th 1458 41.1%
2023 50.19 733rd 1459 49.8%
2024 31.24 1070th 1455 26.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.95 781st 897 12.9%
2019 35.59 592nd 878 32.6%
2021 27.30 517th 646 20.0%
2022 29.83 474th 634 25.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 44.86 368th 494 25.5%
2023 55.15 359th 582 38.3%
2024 70.51 37th 669 94.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.03 933rd 1413 34.0%
2019 34.21 1034th 1430 27.7%
2021 49.99 688th 1444 52.4%
2022 45.65 787th 1464 46.2%
2023 45.73 826th 1461 43.5%
2024 35.46 982nd 1464 32.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 56.10 329th 927 64.5%
2023 86.00 68th 933 92.7%
2024 74.90 147th 924 84.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.01 462nd 851 45.7%
2022 30.96 685th 893 23.3%
2023 21.66 800th 915 12.6%
2024 20.72 851st 951 10.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Costner Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.98 958th 1178 18.7%
2019 19.90 1066th 1183 9.9%
2021 47.95 604th 1172 48.5%
2022 31.11 904th 1194 24.3%
2023 31.08 898th 1183 24.1%
2024 17.42 1055th 1166 9.5%
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.

Costner 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 Costner Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 362 65 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 427
1989 394 72 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 466
1990 383 68 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1991 354 73 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 427
1992 366 73 2 0 0 n/a n/a 4 445
1993 347 57 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 405
1994 365 71 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 437
1995 374 88 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 465
1996 374 88 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 465
1997 372 76 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 450
1998 309 9 3 1 1 n/a n/a 0 323
1999 462 30 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 495
2000 460 28 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 492
2001 464 28 0 8 2 n/a n/a 0 502
2002 446 35 3 13 2 n/a n/a 0 499
2003 446 35 3 13 2 n/a n/a 0 499
2004 484 48 2 16 1 n/a n/a 0 551
2005 514 37 4 16 1 n/a n/a 0 572
2006 514 43 0 15 0 n/a n/a 0 572
2007 527 27 0 11 0 n/a n/a 7 572
2008 545 30 3 16 0 n/a n/a 8 602
2009 541 38 3 15 0 n/a n/a 0 597
2010 587 54 4 10 1 n/a n/a 0 656
2011 573 32 2 22 0 0 20 0 649
2012 568 32 3 35 1 0 15 0 654
2013 522 33 2 38 1 1 18 0 615
2014 477 40 3 38 1 1 21 0 581
2015 473 35 5 45 1 0 24 0 583
2016 466 27 3 45 0 0 28 0 569
2017 412 21 3 46 0 0 29 0 511
2018 357 21 0 38 0 0 21 0 437
2019 336 25 0 32 0 0 18 0 411
2020 297 30 0 34 0 0 30 0 391
2021 286 44 1 45 0 0 16 0 392
2022 273 71 1 59 1 1 21 0 427
2023 299 84 1 74 0 0 27 0 485
2024 301 74 1 56 0 0 21 0 453

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 Costner Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 427 20.0 21.3 20.6
1989 466 23.0 20.2 22.5
1990 451 23.0 19.6 22
1991 427 23.0 18.5 23.2
1992 445 25.0 17.8 22.9
1993 405 20.0 20.3 32.6
1994 437 25.0 17.5 38
1995 465 21.0 22.1 28.4
1996 465 21.0 22.1 28.4
1997 450 24.0 18.8 31.6
1998 323 18.0 17.9 41.5
1999 495 18.0 27.5 17.4
2000 492 18.0 27.3 30.1
2001 502 18.0 27.9 31.3
2002 499 18.0 27.7 40.5
2003 499 18.0 27.7 40.5
2004 551 27.0 20.4 44.1
2005 572 27.0 21.2 37.9
2006 572 27.0 21.2 39.5
2007 572 n/a n/a 41.6
2008 602 32.7 18.4 7.7
2009 597 35.2 17.0 7.5
2010 656 34.6 18.9 44.5
2011 649 35.1 18.4 49
2012 654 34.1 19.1 46.8
2013 615 34.1 18.0 48.9
2014 581 32.6 17.8 51.6
2015 583 32.0 18.2 51.5
2016 569 31.0 18.3 53.4
2017 511 27.3 18.6 52.3
2018 437 25.9 16.8 48.5
2019 411 27.9 14.7 48.9
2020 391 28.3 13.7 46.3
2021 392 27.6 14.2 42.9
2022 427 33.2 12.8 38.2
2023 485 28.2 17.1 62.7
2024 453 29.5 15.3 99.3

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 Costner Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 427 20.0 21.3 20.6
1989 466 23.0 20.2 22.5
1990 451 23.0 19.6 22
1991 427 23.0 18.5 23.2
1992 445 25.0 17.8 22.9
1993 405 20.0 20.3 32.6
1994 437 25.0 17.5 38
1995 465 21.0 22.1 28.4
1996 465 21.0 22.1 28.4
1997 450 24.0 18.8 31.6
1998 323 18.0 17.9 41.5
1999 495 18.0 27.5 17.4
2000 492 18.0 27.3 30.1
2001 502 18.0 27.9 31.3
2002 499 18.0 27.7 40.5
2003 499 18.0 27.7 40.5
2004 551 27.0 20.4 44.1
2005 572 27.0 21.2 37.9
2006 572 27.0 21.2 39.5
2007 572 n/a n/a 41.6
2008 602 32.7 18.4 7.7
2009 597 35.2 17.0 7.5
2010 656 34.6 18.9 44.5
2011 649 35.1 18.4 49
2012 654 34.1 19.1 46.8
2013 615 34.1 18.0 48.9
2014 581 32.6 17.8 51.6
2015 583 32.0 18.2 51.5
2016 569 31.0 18.3 53.4
2017 511 27.3 18.6 52.3
2018 437 25.9 16.8 48.5
2019 411 27.9 14.7 48.9
2020 391 28.3 13.7 46.3
2021 392 27.6 14.2 42.9
2022 427 33.2 12.8 38.2
2023 485 28.2 17.1 62.7
2024 453 29.5 15.3 99.3

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 Costner Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,124 (11.6%) $8,569 (88.4%) $9,693

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Costner 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 881st of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 789th of 1502 Elementary schools
 7.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Costner Elementary)7460.3
 13.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)56.455.9
 0.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Costner Elementary)60.847.6
 13.2%
   3rd Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)51.840.6
 11.2%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Costner Elementary)55.260
 4.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)49.547.5
 2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Costner Elementary)41.851.3
 9.5%
   4th Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)53.648.9
 4.7%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Costner Elementary)48.647.2
 1.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)52.548.6
 3.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Costner Elementary)5045.8
 4.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)50.642.7
 7.9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Costner Elementary)59.759.7
   5th Grade Science (Gaston County Schools)69.360
 9.3%
   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 Students411485
 18%
African American2584
 236%
American Indian00
Asian01
Hispanic3274
 131.3%
Pacific Islander00
White336299
 11%
Two or More Races1827
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients48.9%62.7%
 13.8%


Schools Near Costner Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Costner Elementary

Costner Elementary ranks 1071st of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students who attend Costner Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : W C Friday Middle School
High : North Gaston High

Students at Costner Elementary are 66% White, 16% African American, 12% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 453 students attended Costner Elementary.


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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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