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#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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.5%
Math vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness5.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,412

Cape Fear High — Students at Cape Fear High score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 52.5%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
51.9%
ELA
59.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in NC
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,781/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fayetteville). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cumberland County Schools
District Enrollment
49,314
Schools in District
86
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,118
District Rank
#76 of 84

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 methodology

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