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Excellent

#367 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 14% 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#367 of 2,648

In Sanford

#4 of 19

public schools

In district

#4 of 16

Lee County Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Deep River Elementary

8.1/10

Elementary School in Sanford · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Moncure School

6.2/10

4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bt Bullock Elementary

7.0/10

6.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Deep River Elementary

Deep River Elementary is a public elementary school in Sanford, NC, part of Lee County Schools. Deep River Elementary serves approximately 535 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Deep River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #367 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Deep River Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Deep River Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,241
Chronic Absenteeism17.8%

Deep River Elementary — Students at Deep River Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 42.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
35%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
31%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
60.5%
ELA
45.3%
2025
Math
67.5%
ELA
46.4%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Deep River Elementary Compares

See how Deep River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in NC
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. WB Wicker Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pittsboro Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Pittsboro), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BT Bullock Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 6.2 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 6.2
BT Bullock Elementary Sanford 6.2 mi 7.0
Central Carolina Academy Sanford 7.2 mi
Bragg Street Academy Sanford 7.7 mi 3.9
Lee Early College Sanford 8.3 mi 8.2
WB Wicker Elementary Sanford 8.4 mi 8.3
Lee County High Sanford 8.5 mi 5.9
Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford 8.9 mi 4.1
George M. Horton Middle Pittsboro 9.0 mi 7.5
Pittsboro Elementary Pittsboro 9.0 mi 8.3
East Lee Middle Sanford 9.2 mi 4.3
J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford 9.1 mi 6.5
MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford 9.6 mi 7.0
West Lee Middle Sanford 9.3 mi 3.8
LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford 9.5 mi 6.6
J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford 10.5 mi 6.5
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford 10.9 mi 5.7
SanLee Middle School Sanford 10.9 mi 6.4
Southern Lee High School Sanford 11.0 mi 4.9
Seaforth High Pittsboro 11.0 mi 4.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington, NC 8.1
Catawba Springs Elementary Denver, NC 8.1
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee, NC 8.1
Eastover Elementary Charlotte, NC 8.1
Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro, NC 8.1
Fuller Elementary Raleigh, 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 ranks #367 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Deep River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Deep River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Deep River Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Deep River Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.8%

District

Lee County Schools
District Enrollment
9,051
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,241
District Rank
#4 of 16

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