The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Science. The lowest is 25% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Knollwood Elementary
Knollwood Elementary serves a diverse, economically stressed student body of roughly mid-size elementary enrollment spanning pre-K through fifth grade. It sits in Salisbury, a mid-sized Piedmont city that has been growing steadily as a Charlotte-area suburb while maintaining a walkable historic downtown and strong civic anchors like Bell Tower Green and the Rowan Public Library.
The school's test results are a soft spot. In math, the proficiency rate sits well below the midpoint for the county's districts. English language arts proficiency is similarly low. Science proficiency is noticeably higher, though only a subset of students were tested in that subject. Because the school serves grades three through five (along with younger grades that are not assessed), state testing covers only the upper elementary grades; younger students are building foundational skills that will later be measured. A parent may want to look into further with the school what academic supports or targeted instruction it is putting in place to help students meet grade-level benchmarks, and how the school plans to address the gap between current proficiency and state expectations as students move into middle grades.
The student body is predominantly Latino, with smaller Black and white populations, and includes students from many other backgrounds. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting very high economic need across the school community. Special population enrollment data was not available in the state's public reporting. The school's website or principal can provide details on English learner services, special education support, and counseling or family engagement programs.
Knollwood is part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, which holds the unusual distinction of being North Carolina's only Renewal School District, a status that gives it flexibility to shape its own curriculum, calendar, budget, and staffing across its schools. Within the district, other schools have opted into distinctive models: Isenberg Elementary runs a Dual Language Immersion program and Morgan Elementary uses a Competency-Based Education approach. Knollwood itself operates as a regular neighborhood school. The district starts its school year in mid-August rather than late August, an early calendar that gives families a different rhythm than surrounding districts.
The city itself is in a growth phase, with new subdivisions on the edges and ongoing downtown reinvestment since the 1980s. Housing values in the 28147 zip code are below the state average and modestly below the national benchmark, making the area relatively affordable for the region; rents are likewise accessible. The city's major employers span health care, manufacturing, retail, and the public sector, anchored by Food Lion's headquarters, the VA Medical Center, Novant Health, and Freightliner, with Chewy's fulfillment facility a newer addition. This economic base is stable and diversified, though not anchored by a single dominant industry.
One shift worth noting for families: Rowan-Salisbury voters approved a referendum in November 2024 to convert school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan starting December 2026. For parents who pay attention to board elections and policy, this changes how candidates run and how the district is governed.
The housing market and job base in Salisbury are broad enough that families with ties to the area or seeking affordability in the Charlotte region will find it accessible. What Knollwood offers academically, relative to current proficiency metrics, is the kind of school that families choose out of neighborhood proximity or specific need rather than academic draw. The question for a prospective parent is whether you are moving to the area for reasons outside the school itself, and if so, whether the supports and instruction at Knollwood align with your child's readiness and your family's capacity to supplement learning at home. That conversation is best had directly with the school's leadership.
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