Underwood Elementary

Summary:

Underwood Elementary is a high-performing public magnet elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving 381 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. As part of the Wake County Schools district, Underwood consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in the state, with students demonstrating exceptional proficiency on standardized tests.

Underwood's academic excellence is evident in its consistent top rankings, with proficiency rates often 10-20 percentage points higher than state and district averages in subjects like mathematics and reading. The school's diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 59.58% White, 15.49% African American, 15.75% Hispanic, and 5.25% Asian, is a strength that reflects the broader community. Additionally, Underwood's low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10 to 11.9 students per teacher, and relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggest the school may have access to more resources and smaller class sizes compared to nearby schools like Root Elementary and Olds Elementary.

While Underwood's overall performance is exceptional, the school's leadership may want to explore potential achievement gaps for certain subgroups, such as Hispanic and low-socioeconomic status students, to ensure equitable outcomes for all learners. By continuing to address these areas and learning from the successes of nearby high-performing schools, Underwood Elementary can further strengthen its position as a leading educational institution in the Raleigh area.


Detail:

Public, Magnet K-5

 1614 Glenwood Avenue
       Raleigh, NC  27608


(919) 856-7663

District: Wake County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
151st of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,726 Help


Students who attend Underwood Elementary usually attend:

High:    Wake Early College of Health and Science
    Wake STEM Early College High School
    Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
    Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy

Student/teacher ratio:  10.2 Help
Number of students:  390

Racial breakdown:

White:
58.2%
African American:
16.7%
Hispanic:
16.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  27.4% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Underwood Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Underwood Elementary ranks better than 90% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 24th among 115 ranked elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 86.96. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Underwood Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (58.2%), African American (16.7%), Hispanic (16.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 27.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Underwood Elementary is 10.2, which is the 4th best among 115 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Underwood Elementary employs 38 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Underwood Elementary is $11,726, which is the 14th highest among 115 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Underwood Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Underwood Elementary 151st of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Underwood Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Wake County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Wake County Schools 59th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Underwood Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 56.67 590th 1276 53.8%
2007 61.80 514th 1293 60.2%
2008 61.70 517th 1324 61.0%
2009 59.45 619th 1354 54.3%
2010 63.91 533rd 1363 60.9%
2011 63.19 564th 1381 59.2%
2012 76.13 274th 1388 80.3%
2013 94.15 57th 1403 95.9%
2014 91.17 91st 1390 93.5%
2015 89.35 97th 1440 93.3%
2016 90.07 85th 1425 94.0%
2017 77.69 266th 1429 81.4%
2018 80.45 221st 1434 84.6%
2019 73.26 340th 1473 76.9%
2021 88.41 147th 1489 90.1%
2022 90.47 103rd 1514 93.2%
2023 84.03 182nd 1502 87.9%
2024 86.96 151st 1505 90.0%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.61 1274th 1332 4.4%
2019 17.28 1249th 1361 8.2%
2021 48.38 627th 1329 52.8%
2022 46.23 729th 1366 46.6%
2023 29.03 1110th 1437 22.8%
2024 22.70 1259th 1450 13.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.21 200th 1405 85.8%
2019 71.34 361st 1424 74.6%
2021 85.12 163rd 1440 88.7%
2022 91.24 83rd 1458 94.3%
2023 77.45 259th 1459 82.2%
2024 78.45 232nd 1455 84.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.09 86th 897 90.4%
2022 44.49 288th 634 54.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 65.54 108th 612 82.4%
2021 60.64 232nd 494 53.0%
2022 53.33 318th 500 36.4%
2023 59.44 292nd 582 49.8%
2024 62.68 259th 669 61.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.14 254th 1413 82.0%
2019 72.87 324th 1430 77.3%
2021 87.24 144th 1444 90.0%
2022 86.82 140th 1464 90.4%
2023 86.88 130th 1461 91.1%
2024 89.81 101st 1464 93.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.04 877th 927 5.4%
2019 36.33 640th 949 32.6%
2021 68.95 158th 896 82.4%
2022 49.70 411th 927 55.7%
2023 68.84 220th 933 76.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.95 760th 851 10.7%
2021 40.54 481st 843 42.9%
2023 17.52 847th 915 7.4%
2024 25.34 796th 951 16.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Underwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.07 63rd 1178 94.7%
2019 77.99 204th 1183 82.8%
2021 92.35 39th 1172 96.7%
2022 93.25 20th 1194 98.3%
2023 90.26 44th 1183 96.3%
2024 93.41 19th 1166 98.4%
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.

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.5)
50%

50%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, January 8, 2018

Open Quote Underwood is a dynamic school and has given my daughter the opportunity to explore her interests as well as try other areas within the arts and academic realms through the Gifted and Talented elective model with electives. The small size of the school brings a true "family" feel with dedicated teachers who know the names of all students in the school and a very involved parent population (PTA and Foundation). Underwood also has supports in place for students and their social development with Conscious Discipline. Teachers are responsive to student needs and encourage collaboration, creative, critical thinking and technology into their lessons. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, November 16, 2017

Open Quote So far so good. Our daughter is in 1st grade this year. We have felt really good about her teachers so far & the PTA is great. Will def keep sending her there through 5th grade if nothing changes. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Underwood Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 346 93 27 0 0 n/a n/a 0 466
1989 331 131 25 0 0 n/a n/a 0 487
1990 310 119 30 1 0 n/a n/a 0 460
1991 305 110 36 4 1 n/a n/a 0 456
1992 324 97 36 1 0 n/a n/a 0 458
1993 310 116 38 2 2 n/a n/a 0 468
1994 287 118 51 0 1 n/a n/a 0 457
1995 292 146 49 2 2 n/a n/a 0 491
1996 292 146 49 2 2 n/a n/a 0 491
1997 294 139 40 2 0 n/a n/a 0 475
1998 280 140 35 4 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1999 262 148 26 4 1 n/a n/a 0 441
2000 216 139 23 3 0 n/a n/a 0 381
2001 186 146 19 7 0 n/a n/a 0 358
2002 140 130 19 17 0 n/a n/a 0 306
2003 140 130 19 17 0 n/a n/a 0 306
2004 156 127 17 14 0 n/a n/a 0 314
2005 226 142 22 18 1 n/a n/a 0 409
2006 260 218 25 17 1 n/a n/a 0 521
2007 251 172 29 13 3 n/a n/a 21 489
2008 283 162 34 24 3 n/a n/a 25 531
2009 280 140 37 27 3 n/a n/a 0 487
2010 304 137 25 55 3 n/a n/a 0 524
2011 282 82 18 61 1 0 25 0 469
2012 301 82 20 68 1 0 30 0 502
2013 368 71 20 65 0 0 21 0 545
2014 354 60 17 56 0 0 16 0 503
2015 359 65 18 64 2 0 12 0 520
2016 349 73 20 62 1 0 9 0 514
2017 349 81 20 64 1 2 10 0 527
2018 329 82 23 54 1 0 7 0 496
2019 282 85 22 50 1 0 8 0 448
2020 288 85 29 48 1 0 10 0 461
2021 256 88 25 46 0 0 9 0 424
2022 239 73 23 47 0 0 13 0 395
2023 227 59 20 60 0 0 15 0 381
2024 227 65 17 64 0 0 17 0 390

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 Underwood Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 466 28.0 16.6 10.5
1989 487 28.0 17.3 16
1990 460 20.0 23.0 13.7
1991 456 35.0 13.0 13.8
1992 458 35.0 13.0 13.3
1993 468 33.0 14.2 16.9
1994 457 34.0 13.4 17.9
1995 491 34.0 14.4 17.7
1996 491 34.0 14.4 17.7
1997 475 32.0 14.8 20.6
1998 459 36.0 12.8 22.2
1999 441 32.0 13.8 28.1
2000 381 32.0 11.9 29.7
2001 358 29.0 12.3 36.3
2002 306 30.0 10.2 36.3
2003 306 30.0 10.2 36.3
2004 314 30.0 10.5 36
2005 409 29.0 14.1 33.5
2006 521 39.0 13.4 34.9
2007 489 n/a n/a 32.7
2008 531 40.7 13.0 n/a
2009 487 35.9 13.6 n/a
2010 524 36.5 14.3 30.7
2011 469 34.3 13.6 27.1
2012 502 36.7 13.6 27.3
2013 545 39.6 13.7 22.2
2014 503 39.6 12.6 20.3
2015 520 37.0 14.0 22.3
2016 514 39.0 13.1 22.2
2017 527 37.9 13.8 25.2
2018 496 36.9 13.4 24
2019 448 36.0 12.4 23.7
2020 461 36.0 12.8 20.6
2021 424 35.5 11.9 22.4
2022 395 38.0 10.3 17.2
2023 381 37.9 10.0 27.6
2024 390 38.0 10.2 27.4

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 Underwood Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 466 28.0 16.6 10.5
1989 487 28.0 17.3 16
1990 460 20.0 23.0 13.7
1991 456 35.0 13.0 13.8
1992 458 35.0 13.0 13.3
1993 468 33.0 14.2 16.9
1994 457 34.0 13.4 17.9
1995 491 34.0 14.4 17.7
1996 491 34.0 14.4 17.7
1997 475 32.0 14.8 20.6
1998 459 36.0 12.8 22.2
1999 441 32.0 13.8 28.1
2000 381 32.0 11.9 29.7
2001 358 29.0 12.3 36.3
2002 306 30.0 10.2 36.3
2003 306 30.0 10.2 36.3
2004 314 30.0 10.5 36
2005 409 29.0 14.1 33.5
2006 521 39.0 13.4 34.9
2007 489 n/a n/a 32.7
2008 531 40.7 13.0 n/a
2009 487 35.9 13.6 n/a
2010 524 36.5 14.3 30.7
2011 469 34.3 13.6 27.1
2012 502 36.7 13.6 27.3
2013 545 39.6 13.7 22.2
2014 503 39.6 12.6 20.3
2015 520 37.0 14.0 22.3
2016 514 39.0 13.1 22.2
2017 527 37.9 13.8 25.2
2018 496 36.9 13.4 24
2019 448 36.0 12.4 23.7
2020 461 36.0 12.8 20.6
2021 424 35.5 11.9 22.4
2022 395 38.0 10.3 17.2
2023 381 37.9 10.0 27.6
2024 390 38.0 10.2 27.4

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 Underwood Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $564 (4.8%) $11,163 (95.2%) $11,726

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Underwood 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 340th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 182nd of 1502 Elementary schools
 11%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Underwood Elementary)64.866.2
 1.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)69.467.4
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Underwood Elementary)70.464.6
 5.8%
   3rd Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)6658.7
 7.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Underwood Elementary)67.967.2
 0.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6565
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Underwood Elementary)83.373.4
 9.9%
   4th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)63.265.7
 2.5%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Underwood Elementary)66.779.7
 13%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6665.6
 0.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Underwood Elementary)6876.6
 8.6%
   5th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)60.659.1
 1.5%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Underwood Elementary)74.785.9
 11.2%
   5th Grade Science (Wake County Schools)71.370.6
 0.7%
   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 Students448381
 15%
African American8559
 30.6%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian2220
 9.1%
Hispanic5060
 20%
Pacific Islander00
White282227
 19.5%
Two or More Races815
 87.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients23.7%27.6%
 3.9%


Schools Near Underwood Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Underwood Elementary

Students at Underwood Elementary are 58% White, 17% African American, 16% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 390 students attended Underwood Elementary.

Underwood Elementary ranks 151st of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 5 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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