Average
#2150 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cape Fear Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
1882 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rocky Point
#3 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,336 of 1,474
In district
#15 of 19
Pender County Schools
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Cape Fear Elementary
Cape Fear Elementary in Rocky Point, North Carolina serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 543 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. Located near the town in a rural setting, Cape Fear Elementary benefits from a close-knit community that supports its educational programs.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.9 out of 10, with academic performance ranking in the 22nd percentile among North Carolina schools. On average, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 47% in Math. These figures indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance student achievement.
Cape Fear Elementary is dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where every child can grow and develop their skills, particularly focusing on academic progress and personal development. The school’s setting in a rural area near Rocky Point offers a peaceful backdrop conducive to learning and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cape Fear Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cape Fear Elementary — Students at Cape Fear Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.
How Cape Fear Elementary Compares
See how Cape Fear Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 51.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 36.5% (2025).
Location
1882 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cape Fear Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Point Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Castle Hayne Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Murrayville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rocky Point, see our Rocky Point schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 0.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 4.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 5.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 6.2 mi | 5.9 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 6.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 7.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 7.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 7.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 9.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 9.6 mi | 4.8 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 9.9 mi | 4.6 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 7.3 |
| D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 10.9 mi | 2.5 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 11.2 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,860
Median Home Value
$233,300
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
11,131
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cape Fear Elementary has a median household income of $66,860. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,300, with a median rent of $866/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aycock Elementary Henderson, NC | 5.0 |
| Brassfield Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.0 |
| Cornatzer Elementary Mocksville, NC | 5.0 |
| Highland Elementary Burlington, NC | 5.0 |
| Joseph W Grier Academy Charlotte, NC | 5.0 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia, NC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cape Fear Elementary
What grades does Cape Fear Elementary serve?
Cape Fear Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cape Fear Elementary?
Cape Fear Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cape Fear Elementary rank in NC?
Cape Fear Elementary is ranked #2150 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cape Fear Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cape Fear Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cape Fear Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cape Fear Elementary has 46.9% math proficiency and 37.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cape Fear Elementary a charter school?
No, Cape Fear Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cape Fear Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cape Fear Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cape Fear Elementary?
99.4% of students at Cape Fear Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (745/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 543
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Phone
- (910) 602-3767
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #15 of 19
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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