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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.5%
Math vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,383

Don D Steed Elementary — Students at Don D Steed Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 57.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
45%
2025
Math
64.4%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,543/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hoke County Schools
District Enrollment
8,769
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,704
District Rank
#3 of 13

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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