Excellent
#405 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 15% in state
Deep River Elementary
Elementary School · Lee County Schools
4000 Deep River Rd, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#2 of 19
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#366 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 16
Lee County Schools
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Deep River Elementary
Deep River Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area of Sanford, North Carolina. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 535 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Deep River Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment.
Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.8 out of 10, placing it at #760 among 2661 schools in North Carolina. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate for students is 42%, while the Math proficiency rate stands at 58%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on student development and growth.
Deep River Elementary is situated in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Deep River 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
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Deep River Elementary — Students at Deep River Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above 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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Deep River Elementary Compares
See how Deep River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 67.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 45.9% (2025).
Location
4000 Deep River Rd, Sanford, NC 27330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Deep River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pittsboro Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Pittsboro), with a very similar rating. Another option is WB Wicker Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, J R Ingram Jr Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 9.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Moncure School Moncure | 4.8 mi | 7.2 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 7.2 mi | — |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 7.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 8.3 mi | 6.8 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 8.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 8.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 8.9 mi | 5.4 |
| George M. Horton Middle Pittsboro | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Pittsboro Elementary Pittsboro | 9.0 mi | 8.3 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 9.2 mi | 4.9 |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 9.1 mi | 7.4 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 9.6 mi | 7.3 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 9.3 mi | 5.5 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 9.5 mi | 6.6 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 10.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.9 mi | 5.4 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 10.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 11.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Seaforth High Pittsboro | 11.0 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,726
Median Home Value
$213,000
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
41,473
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Deep River Elementary has a median household income of $60,726. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,000, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Audrey W. Garrett Elementary Mebane, NC | 8.1 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 8.1 |
| Butner-Stem Elementary Butner, NC | 8.1 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba, NC | 8.1 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin, NC | 8.1 |
| Eastway Elementary Durham, NC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Deep River Elementary
What grades does Deep River Elementary serve?
Deep River Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Deep River Elementary?
Deep River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 535 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Deep River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Deep River Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Deep River Elementary rank in NC?
Deep River Elementary is ranked #405 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Deep River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Deep River Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Deep River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deep River Elementary has 58.2% math proficiency and 42.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Deep River Elementary a charter school?
No, Deep River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Deep River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Deep River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Deep River Elementary?
99.4% of students at Deep River 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 535
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (919) 776-2722
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,051
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,241
- District Rank
- #3 of 16
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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