Lowell Elementary

Summary:

Lowell Elementary is a public elementary school in Lowell, North Carolina, serving students from kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Gaston County Schools district. The school has seen a shift in its student population, with a decrease in White students and an increase in Hispanic students in recent years.

Lowell Elementary has consistently outperformed the Gaston County Schools district and the state of North Carolina in academic measures like mathematics, reading, and science proficiency. The school has shown particular strengths in supporting the academic achievement of African American students and English Language Learners, ranking among the top North Carolina elementary schools for these subgroups. However, the school's performance for other subgroups, like White students and students with disabilities, has been relatively lower.

Compared to nearby schools, Lowell Elementary generally performs better than Brookside Elementary and Sherwood Elementary, but lags behind higher-performing schools like New Hope Elementary, Belmont Central Elementary, and North Belmont Elementary. Lowell Elementary's high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with over 70% receiving free or reduced-price lunch, is a key differentiating factor compared to some of the nearby schools.


Detail:

Public K-5

 1500 Power Drive
       Lowell, NC  28098-1236


(704) 836-9118

District: Gaston County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
714th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,896 Help


Students who attend Lowell Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Holbrook Middle
High:    Ashbrook High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.8 Help
Number of students:  409

Racial breakdown:

White:
48.9%
Hispanic:
20.8%
African American:
19.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  71.1% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Lowell Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Lowell Elementary ranks better than 52.6% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 9th 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 52.08. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Lowell Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (48.9%), Hispanic (20.8%), African American (19.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 71.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lowell Elementary is 13.8, which is the 10th best among 26 elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Lowell Elementary employs 29.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lowell Elementary is $8,896. 19 elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Lowell Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Lowell Elementary 714th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Lowell Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female 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 Lowell Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 71.32 319th 1276 75.0%
2007 69.82 346th 1293 73.2%
2008 70.73 337th 1324 74.5%
2009 65.99 489th 1354 63.9%
2010 66.79 475th 1363 65.2%
2011 55.17 702nd 1381 49.2%
2012 48.48 791st 1388 43.0%
2013 39.67 853rd 1403 39.2%
2014 35.90 919th 1390 33.9%
2015 57.93 605th 1440 58.0%
2016 62.62 518th 1425 63.6%
2017 51.77 718th 1429 49.8%
2018 50.36 740th 1434 48.4%
2019 36.39 997th 1473 32.3%
2021 52.47 676th 1489 54.6%
2022 53.21 685th 1514 54.8%
2023 47.79 803rd 1502 46.5%
2024 52.08 714th 1505 52.6%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 63.01 117th 514 77.2%
2024 62.75 127th 533 76.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 31.33 573rd 801 28.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.72 640th 1332 52.0%
2019 43.77 814th 1361 40.2%
2021 51.40 563rd 1329 57.6%
2022 60.83 431st 1366 68.4%
2023 55.17 596th 1437 58.5%
2024 73.57 259th 1450 82.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.68 950th 1405 32.4%
2019 30.98 1061st 1424 25.5%
2021 44.55 760th 1440 47.2%
2022 58.23 587th 1458 59.7%
2023 61.65 527th 1459 63.9%
2024 64.33 468th 1455 67.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.02 872nd 897 2.8%
2019 15.17 841st 878 4.2%
2021 38.12 374th 646 42.1%
2022 32.34 430th 634 32.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 56.94 270th 494 45.3%
2022 46.45 393rd 500 21.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.64 554th 1413 60.8%
2019 44.65 830th 1430 42.0%
2021 58.67 569th 1444 60.6%
2022 46.94 767th 1464 47.6%
2023 34.01 1015th 1461 30.5%
2024 43.14 850th 1464 41.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.92 400th 927 56.9%
2019 31.63 710th 949 25.2%
2021 50.17 352nd 896 60.7%
2022 34.88 622nd 927 32.9%
2023 44.97 495th 933 46.9%
2024 78.07 126th 924 86.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.53 602nd 851 29.3%
2019 45.09 487th 865 43.7%
2021 63.51 222nd 843 73.7%
2022 64.16 231st 893 74.1%
2023 61.57 280th 915 69.4%
2024 52.98 417th 951 56.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Lowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.32 884th 1178 25.0%
2019 24.01 1013th 1183 14.4%
2021 39.07 736th 1172 37.2%
2022 40.09 759th 1194 36.4%
2023 28.70 929th 1183 21.5%
2024 36.43 802nd 1166 31.2%
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.

Lowell 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 Lowell Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 314 28 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
1989 333 36 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 371
1990 383 45 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 428
1991 458 34 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 498
1992 447 32 2 3 0 n/a n/a -1 483
1993 510 37 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 551
1994 521 40 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 566
1995 503 53 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 560
1996 503 53 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 560
1997 458 51 6 2 3 n/a n/a 0 520
1998 411 40 7 1 2 n/a n/a 0 461
1999 409 42 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 459
2000 437 44 7 2 0 n/a n/a 0 490
2001 420 42 5 6 0 n/a n/a 0 473
2002 424 43 7 15 0 n/a n/a 0 489
2003 424 43 7 15 0 n/a n/a 0 489
2004 412 46 5 14 0 n/a n/a 0 477
2005 426 61 9 18 3 n/a n/a 0 517
2006 435 59 10 21 4 n/a n/a 0 529
2007 459 56 11 37 0 n/a n/a 9 572
2008 426 67 9 40 0 n/a n/a 19 561
2009 429 98 9 49 1 n/a n/a 0 586
2010 411 79 13 54 1 n/a n/a 0 558
2011 384 80 12 63 2 0 14 0 555
2012 371 64 9 62 2 0 15 0 523
2013 391 71 6 64 3 0 15 0 550
2014 387 71 10 72 2 0 16 0 558
2015 374 70 5 72 1 0 15 0 537
2016 364 73 5 74 1 0 18 0 535
2017 388 67 2 79 1 1 24 0 562
2018 366 67 1 78 0 0 36 0 548
2019 324 70 4 99 2 0 26 0 525
2020 273 72 5 103 3 0 32 0 488
2021 243 62 14 85 2 0 27 0 433
2022 208 64 12 93 3 0 22 0 402
2023 200 79 17 85 3 0 25 0 409

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 Lowell Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 345 20.0 17.2 17.4
1989 371 23.0 16.1 20.8
1990 428 23.0 18.6 15.2
1991 498 26.0 19.1 13.1
1992 483 28.0 17.2 13.9
1993 551 26.0 21.2 19.2
1994 566 28.0 20.2 23
1995 560 30.0 18.7 22.7
1996 560 30.0 18.7 22.7
1997 520 31.0 16.8 21.9
1998 461 28.0 16.5 23
1999 459 28.0 16.4 24.2
2000 490 28.0 17.5 26.5
2001 473 28.0 16.9 28.5
2002 489 28.0 17.5 27
2003 489 28.0 17.5 27
2004 477 26.0 18.3 26.2
2005 517 26.0 19.9 42.7
2006 529 26.0 20.3 34.6
2007 572 n/a n/a 36.1
2008 561 31.4 17.9 7.4
2009 586 31.7 18.5 9.4
2010 558 29.6 18.8 49.3
2011 555 29.9 18.5 55.9
2012 523 29.8 17.5 53.7
2013 550 31.0 17.7 58
2014 558 31.3 17.8 58.8
2015 537 31.0 17.3 56.4
2016 535 31.0 17.2 56.1
2017 562 31.0 18.1 58.9
2018 548 34.3 15.9 57.7
2019 525 30.6 17.1 61.3
2020 488 31.9 15.2 56.1
2021 433 32.0 13.5 50.6
2022 402 30.5 13.1 51.2
2023 409 29.6 13.8 71.1

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 Lowell Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 345 20.0 17.2 17.4
1989 371 23.0 16.1 20.8
1990 428 23.0 18.6 15.2
1991 498 26.0 19.1 13.1
1992 483 28.0 17.2 13.9
1993 551 26.0 21.2 19.2
1994 566 28.0 20.2 23
1995 560 30.0 18.7 22.7
1996 560 30.0 18.7 22.7
1997 520 31.0 16.8 21.9
1998 461 28.0 16.5 23
1999 459 28.0 16.4 24.2
2000 490 28.0 17.5 26.5
2001 473 28.0 16.9 28.5
2002 489 28.0 17.5 27
2003 489 28.0 17.5 27
2004 477 26.0 18.3 26.2
2005 517 26.0 19.9 42.7
2006 529 26.0 20.3 34.6
2007 572 n/a n/a 36.1
2008 561 31.4 17.9 7.4
2009 586 31.7 18.5 9.4
2010 558 29.6 18.8 49.3
2011 555 29.9 18.5 55.9
2012 523 29.8 17.5 53.7
2013 550 31.0 17.7 58
2014 558 31.3 17.8 58.8
2015 537 31.0 17.3 56.4
2016 535 31.0 17.2 56.1
2017 562 31.0 18.1 58.9
2018 548 34.3 15.9 57.7
2019 525 30.6 17.1 61.3
2020 488 31.9 15.2 56.1
2021 433 32.0 13.5 50.6
2022 402 30.5 13.1 51.2
2023 409 29.6 13.8 71.1

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 Lowell Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,107 (12.4%) $7,789 (87.6%) $8,896

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Lowell 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 997th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 803rd of 1502 Elementary schools
 14.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary)58.570.2
 11.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)56.455.9
 0.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Lowell Elementary)53.242.1
 11.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)51.840.6
 11.2%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary)55.941.5
 14.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)49.547.5
 2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Lowell Elementary)49.546.3
 3.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)53.648.9
 4.7%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary)43.554.3
 10.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)52.548.6
 3.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Lowell Elementary)46.750
 3.3%
   5th Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)50.642.7
 7.9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Lowell Elementary)64.170
 5.9%
   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 Students525409
 22.1%
African American7079
 12.9%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian417
 325%
Hispanic9985
 14.1%
Pacific Islander00
White324200
 38.3%
Two or More Races2625
 3.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients61.3%71.1%
 9.8%


Schools Near Lowell Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Lowell Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 409 students attended Lowell Elementary.

Students at Lowell Elementary are 49% White, 21% Hispanic, 19% African American, 6% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Lowell Elementary ranks 714th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Lowell Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Holbrook Middle
High : Ashbrook High


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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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