Very Good
#715 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Don D Steed Elementary
Elementary School · Hoke County Schools
800 Phillipi Church Rd, Raeford, NC 28376
Enrollment
678
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
678
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Raeford
#2 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#601 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 13
Hoke County Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Don D Steed Elementary
Don D Steed Elementary serves 678 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Raeford, North Carolina's Hoke County. This regular public school maintains a favorable 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 52 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #455 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools.
Students show strong proficiency in core subjects, with 64% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics and 62% performing at grade level or above in English language arts and reading. Don D Steed Elementary draws from a diverse working-class community where the median household income is $59,427 and median home values sit at $189,500. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.4% of families experience poverty, reflecting the school's role in serving students from varied economic backgrounds.
The school sits on Phillipi Church Road in a rural setting near the town of Raeford, providing students with a quieter learning environment while remaining connected to the broader community of over 43,000 residents in the surrounding area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Don D Steed 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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Don D Steed Elementary — Students at Don D Steed Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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: 6.5/10.
How Don D Steed Elementary Compares
See how Don D Steed Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 64.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 61.5% (2025).
Location
800 Phillipi Church Rd, Raeford, NC 28376
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Don D Steed Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sandy Grove Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Lumber Bridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Rim Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Fayetteville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Scurlock Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Raeford, see our Raeford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Scurlock Elementary Raeford | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| East Hoke Middle Raeford | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| SandHoke Early College High Raeford | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| J W McLauchlin Elementary Raeford | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| J W Turlington School Raeford | 3.7 mi | — |
| Hoke County High Raeford | 4.2 mi | 2.8 |
| Rockfish Hoke Elementary Raeford | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Sandy Grove Elementary Lumber Bridge | 4.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Upchurch Elementary Raeford | 4.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Sandy Grove Middle Lumber Bridge | 4.8 mi | 3.3 |
| West Hoke Middle Raeford | 5.0 mi | 4.8 |
| PRECIOUS HAVEN LEARNING ACADEMY Raeford | 5.0 mi | — |
| Alpha Academy Fayetteville | 6.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Lake Rim Elementary Fayetteville | 6.7 mi | 7.5 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville | 6.8 mi | 5.7 |
| New Century International Elementary Fayetteville | 6.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs | 7.5 mi | 4.2 |
| New Century International Middle Fayetteville | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| E E Miller Elementary Fayetteville | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Bill Hefner Elementary Fayetteville | 8.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28376 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,793
Median Home Value
$208,100
Median Rent
$1,091/mo
Population
43,980
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
71.1%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Don D Steed Elementary has a median household income of $61,793. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,100, with a median rent of $1,091/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Beverly Woods Elementary Charlotte, NC | 7.5 |
| Combs Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.5 |
| Davenport A+ School Lenoir, NC | 7.5 |
| Franklinton Elementary Franklinton, NC | 7.5 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.5 |
| J. H. Gunn Elementary Charlotte, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Don D Steed Elementary
What grades does Don D Steed Elementary serve?
Don D Steed Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Don D Steed Elementary?
Don D Steed Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 678 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Don D Steed Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Don D Steed Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Don D Steed Elementary rank in NC?
Don D Steed Elementary is ranked #715 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Don D Steed Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Don D Steed Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Don D Steed Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Don D Steed Elementary has 61.0% math proficiency and 57.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Don D Steed Elementary a charter school?
No, Don D Steed Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Don D Steed Elementary a Title I school?
No, Don D Steed Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Don D Steed Elementary?
99.6% of students at Don D Steed 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 678
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hoke County
- Phone
- (910) 875-1125
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hoke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,769
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,704
- District Rank
- #3 of 13
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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