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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Caldwell County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 4,941 students in Caldwell County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Caldwell County, NC are Granite Falls Elementary School, Lower Creek Elementary School and Collettsville School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Caldwell County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Caldwell County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Caldwell County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Granite Falls Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
60 N Highland Avenue
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2222
Gr: PK-5 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Lower Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
630 Lower Creek Drive Ne
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
Collettsville School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4690 Collettsville School Rd
Collettsville, NC 28611
(828) 754-6913
Gr: PK-8 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Baton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1400 Baton School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 728-9531
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Valmead Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
111 Elizabeth Drive Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-9612
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #66.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Roy Coffey Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-3712
Gr: PK-5 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1350 Yadkin River Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-3496
Gr: PK-8 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Kings Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3680 Wilkesboro Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6039
Gr: PK-8 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Sawmills Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4436 Sawmills School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2610
Gr: PK-5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Dudley Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-3457
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
Davenport A+ School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
901 College Avenue Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6941
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1212.
Gamewell Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2904 Morganton Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-1193
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
Whitnel Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 Berkley Street Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 728-6423
Gr: PK-5 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 41%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Caldwell County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Caldwell County, NC include Granite Falls Elementary School, Lower Creek Elementary School and Collettsville School.
How many public preschools are located in Caldwell County?
13 public preschools are located in Caldwell County.
What is the racial composition of students in Caldwell County?
Caldwell County public preschools minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Caldwell County are often viewed compared to one another?

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