The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 35% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Balfour Elementary
Balfour Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Asheboro, a small Piedmont city anchored by a restored downtown and a manufacturing base that is now experiencing rapid growth. The school's enrollment is small and predominantly Hispanic, with most students from low-income households. The school draws from a city in transition: Asheboro has historically been a blue-collar community, but a major battery manufacturing investment nearby has triggered new housing development and workforce demand, reshaping the labor market and school demographics over the past few years.
On state testing, Balfour's results are mixed. In mathematics, proficiency sits at about half of tested students in grades 3 through 5. Science performance is stronger, with a majority of tested students meeting proficiency. English language arts is the area of concern, with proficiency notably below the other two subjects. When compared to other districts in Randolph County, Balfour's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among the county's schools, a clear signal that academic performance here lags peer schools in the region. A parent should understand this as a starting point for conversation with the school about where students stand and what support systems are in place.
The district itself is in a period of active investment and change. A major renovation of South Asheboro Middle School is underway, with completion expected by summer 2027, which will benefit students as they advance. More directly relevant to Balfour families, Asheboro City Schools opened a Global Innovation Center and Welcome Center in 2024, designed to support instructional programming and family engagement district-wide. The district has also launched a TEACH pathway partnership with Randolph Community College and UNC Greensboro to prepare high school students for teaching careers with dual-enrollment college credit. These are substantive efforts to broaden pathways and family support.
Demographically, Balfour is a school where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and more than three-fifths of the student body is Hispanic. This composition reflects both Asheboro's long-standing working-class character and the waves of new workers and families arriving due to regional economic growth. The school does not report data on English learner enrollment or special education identification, so a parent may want to look into those specifics directly with the school if relevant to their child.
Housing in the Asheboro area is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, and rents are stable. The city's growth trajectory means new subdivisions and affordable housing projects like Hillcrest Farm are coming online. For families relocating to the area for work at the nearby battery plant or other employers, Asheboro offers entry-level homeownership and rental options without the cost burden of larger metros. The downtown has revitalized with locally owned businesses and civic anchors, though car dependency remains high outside the core.
Balfour is a school serving a working-class, rapidly diversifying community where state test results fall below county benchmarks. The district is making visible investments in facilities, innovation, and workforce pathways. This is a place where academic performance data warrants close attention from prospective families, alongside an honest look at what supports and resources the school offers to move the needle.
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