Best Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina
90 schools · 42 Elementary · 13 Middle · 16 High · 19 Other
Choosing a school in Fayetteville?
Use this page to compare every school in Fayetteville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Massey Hill Classical High
High · Cumberland County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Seventy-First Classical Middle
Middle · Cumberland County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
J W Seabrook Elementary
Elementary · Cumberland County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Fayetteville for 2026 are Massey Hill Classical High (9.0/10), Seventy-First Classical Middle (8.3/10), and J W Seabrook Elementary (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 64 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
90
68 public · 22 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$201,311
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
90
68 public · 22 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$201,311
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 8.2/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Fayetteville schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +18.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Fayetteville schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Fayetteville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 64 rated schools; 90 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massey Hill Classical High | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Seventy-First Classical Middle | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | J W Seabrook Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Sherwood Park Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 5 | New Century International Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Loyd E Auman Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Howard L Hall Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Reid Ross Classical High | 7.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Ponderosa Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Sunnyside Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $61,259
- Median home value
- $201,311
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
36% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fayetteville compares
North Carolina rank
#122 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$61k
90% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
86
Education Snapshot
Fayetteville, North CarolinaFayetteville operates 85 schools across 3 districts, enrolling approximately 43,084 students. The system leans elementary-heavy: 42 elementary schools feed into 13 middle schools and 16 high schools, supplemented by 14 combined or alternative programs. On MySchoolScout's composite rating scale, 81 scored campuses average 5.9/10 — trailing the North Carolina state average of 6.2/10 by 0.3 points. That performance gap tracks the city's income gap closely: median household income of $58,012 runs 20% below the state median of $72,819. At the postsecondary level, 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Just two charter schools operate alongside the three-district public system. For families exploring the school list below, the 5.9 city composite provides a useful baseline — individual campus ratings will carry more weight than the city-wide average when comparing specific schools within Fayetteville's three districts.
Cumberland County Schools runs Fayetteville's public schools
68 public schools. Cumberland County Schools is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Fayetteville is a Cumberland County Schools school (66 of 68).
Among 64 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.2 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Fayetteville, not a citywide average.
- Cumberland County Schools66 public · 97%
- Alpha Academy1 public · 1%
- The Capitol Encore Academy1 public · 1%
About Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville's public school system spans 66 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across a mid-sized military city. The system's average score of 6.7 out of 10 sits in solid middle ground, and the spread matters: 27 schools — 41% of the total — score 7 or higher, meaning quality options are genuinely accessible rather than concentrated in one corner of the city.
Elementary education is where Fayetteville's strongest performers cluster. Sherwood Park Elementary leads the city with a 9.2 out of 10, the highest score among all 66 ranked public schools. Ponderosa Elementary follows closely at 9.1, and three additional elementary schools — Mary McArthur, Sunnyside, and Montclair — all score between 8.4 and 8.5. That five-school concentration at the top signals that strong elementary pipelines exist for families who research boundaries carefully before choosing where to live.
Cumberland County Schools serves most of Fayetteville's students, and the district reflects the city's demographics: a large active-duty and veteran military population drives notable student mobility, which can affect school-level continuity year to year. Parents relocating through Fort Liberty should factor that context in when reading raw performance scores — schools near post tend to see higher enrollment fluctuation than civilian communities of similar size.
Practically speaking, Fayetteville rewards research. With 41% of schools scoring 7 or above, the city outperforms what a 6.7 average might suggest at first glance. The gap between the top performers and the lower tier is real, so address and attendance zone matter. Families should confirm current school boundaries directly with Cumberland County Schools, since rezoning does occur. Parents prioritizing elementary performance will find the north and northwest corridors of the city — where several top-rated schools are located — worth close attention. Those with older children should look beyond the elementary data and dig into individual middle and high school scores, which show more variation across the district.
Elementary Schools
42 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 280 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 327 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 488 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 4 | 563 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 391 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 6 | 343 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 7 | 408 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 8 | 323 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 9 | 480 students · 2nd–5th | 7.2 |
| 10 | 231 students · Pre-K–2nd | 7.1 |
Show all 42 elementary schools in Fayetteville
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 427 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 376 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 223 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 467 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 5 | 1,057 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 778 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 7 | 726 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
| 8 | 704 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
| 9 | 1,163 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
| 10 | 902 students · 6th–8th | 4.2 |
Show all 13 middle schools in Fayetteville
High Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 295 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 216 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 250 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 1,514 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 252 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 6 | 445 students · 6th–12th | 7.2 |
| 7 | 1,916 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 8 | 1,602 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 |
| 9 | 1,213 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 10 | 1,244 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Show all 16 high schools in Fayetteville
Other Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,043 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 832 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
Private Schools17 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 115 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Berean Baptist AcademyPrivate 613 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Fayetteville AcademyPrivate 364 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 59 students · Pre-K–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 183 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | The School of HopePrivate 62 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Destiny Now AcademyPrivate 49 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 98 students · Pre-K–11th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 19 other schools in Fayetteville
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, North Carolina · 90 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 9 ZIP codes
Median Income
$61,259
Median Home Value
$201,311
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
Population
258,303
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Community Profile
Fayetteville has a median household income of $61,259. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,311, with a median rent of $1,154/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 42
- Middle
- 13
- High
- 16
- Other
- 19
Resources
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina
How many schools are in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Fayetteville has 90 schools, including 68 public and 22 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fayetteville is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Fayetteville on MySchoolScout is Massey Hill Classical High with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fayetteville on MySchoolScout is J W Seabrook Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Fayetteville on MySchoolScout is Seventy-First Classical Middle with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Fayetteville on MySchoolScout is Massey Hill Classical High with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Fayetteville is served by 3 school districts: Cumberland County Schools, Alpha Academy, The Capitol Encore Academy.
What is the education level in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Fayetteville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The median household income in Fayetteville is approximately $61,259 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Yes, Fayetteville has 22 private schools alongside 68 public schools. The top-rated private school is Renaissance Classical Christian Academy with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fayetteville is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.