Average
#2039 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cape Fear High
High School · Cumberland County Schools
4762 Clinton Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312
Enrollment
1,514
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,514
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fayetteville
#60 of 66
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#322 of 579
In district
#76 of 84
Cumberland County Schools
About Cape Fear High
Cape Fear High serves 1,514 students in grades 9-12 in Fayetteville, offering a comprehensive high school education with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 across 85 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 6.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks in the 68th percentile statewide, placing it at #856 among North Carolina's 2,661 schools. Academically, Cape Fear High demonstrates steady performance with 60% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 63% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement across core subject areas. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $60,650 and median home values average $191,200. About 27% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 17% of families experience poverty, creating a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds that enriches the school environment.
Cape Fear High is situated on Clinton Road in a rural setting near town, providing students with both the tranquility of a countryside location and convenient access to Fayetteville's urban amenities and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cape Fear High 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
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Cape Fear High — Students at Cape Fear High score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 3.9/10.
How Cape Fear High Compares
See how Cape Fear High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 51.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 59.5% (2025).
Location
4762 Clinton Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cape Fear High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Massey Hill Classical High (rated 7.5/10, 7.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Reid Ross Classical High (rated 6.8/10, 8.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School (rated 6.3/10, 6.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fayetteville, see our Fayetteville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Williams Middle Fayetteville | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Sunnyside Elementary Fayetteville | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| J W Seabrook Elementary Fayetteville | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Armstrong Elementary Eastover | 4.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Stedman Elementary Stedman | 4.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Stedman Primary Stedman | 4.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Eastover-Central Elementary Eastover | 6.1 mi | 8.4 |
| THE SCHOOL OF HOPE Fayetteville | 6.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Walker-Spivey Elementary Fayetteville | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fayetteville | 6.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School Fayetteville | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville | 6.7 mi | 5.9 |
| The Capitol Encore Academy Fayetteville | 6.8 mi | 6.5 |
| District No 7 Elementary Wade | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Ramsey Street High Fayetteville | 7.5 mi | — |
| Luther Nick Jeralds Middle Fayetteville | 7.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Massey Hill Classical High Fayetteville | 7.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Reid Ross Classical Middle Fayetteville | 8.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Reid Ross Classical High Fayetteville | 8.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lucile Souders Elementary Fayetteville | 8.1 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,441
Median Home Value
$207,300
Median Rent
$961/mo
Population
19,889
College Educated
26.8%
Homeownership
73.2%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cape Fear High has a median household income of $66,441. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,300, with a median rent of $961/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Clayton High Clayton, NC | 5.2 |
| Crest High Shelby, NC | 5.2 |
| Dixon High Holly Ridge, NC | 5.2 |
| Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem, NC | 5.2 |
| Northern Guilford High Greensboro, NC | 5.2 |
| Reynolds High Asheville, NC | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cape Fear High
What grades does Cape Fear High serve?
Cape Fear High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cape Fear High?
Cape Fear High has an enrollment of approximately 1,514 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear High?
The student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear High is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cape Fear High rank in NC?
Cape Fear High is ranked #2039 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cape Fear High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cape Fear High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cape Fear High has 61.3% math proficiency and 52.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cape Fear High a charter school?
No, Cape Fear High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cape Fear High a Title I school?
No, Cape Fear High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cape Fear High?
50.9% of students at Cape Fear High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,514
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cumberland County
- Phone
- (910) 483-0191
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cumberland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 49,314
- Schools in District
- 86
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,118
- District Rank
- #76 of 84
Other Schools in This District
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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