Sawmills’s public schools score below 56% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Sawmills, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Sawmills’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 321 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sawmills’s, its schools beat 37%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 47% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,425 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then seven middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Sawmills’s grade
C+: better than 44% of North Carolina school districts, #190 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sawmills, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
Kindergarten in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
1st grade in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
2nd grade in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
3rd grade in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
4th grade in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
5th grade in Sawmills
Sawmills Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 351 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Granite Falls
Sawmills’s public schools are run by Caldwell County Schools, which also serves Cajah's Mountain, Cedar Rock, Gamewell and Granite Falls and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Sawmills vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Sawmills’s borders.
Every school in Sawmills
13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Sawmills’s schools
Are Sawmills’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sawmills children attend score below 56% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #190 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 37%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sawmills in?
Caldwell County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,667 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sawmills kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: South Caldwell High, Hibriten High, West Caldwell High, Caldwell Early College and Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy.
What is Sawmills’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Caldwell County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Sawmills spend per student?
$12,425 in Caldwell County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Sawmills families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sawmills → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.