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Below Average

#2107 of 2,648 schools in NC

E E Smith High

High School · Cumberland County Schools

1800 Seabrook Road, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Enrollment

1,000

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,107 of 2,648

In Fayetteville

#50 of 66

public schools

In district

#63 of 84

Cumberland County Schools

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E E Smith High

4.7/10

High School in Fayetteville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ferguson-easley Elementary

3.1/10

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

Cross Creek Early College

7.9/10

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

About E E Smith High

E E Smith High is a public high school in Fayetteville, NC, part of Cumberland County Schools. E E Smith High serves approximately 1,000 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. E E Smith High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,107 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for E E Smith High show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at E E Smith High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation7.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,118
Chronic Absenteeism46.4%

E E Smith High — Students at E E Smith High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 44.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
62%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
19%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
41%
2025
Math
32.4%
ELA
51.4%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How E E Smith High Compares

See how E E Smith High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
21th percentile in NC
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
29
13 boys' · 16 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
7.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics29sports offered
13 boys'·16 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

1800 Seabrook Road, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering E E Smith High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cumberland International Early College (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cumberland Polytechnic (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reid Ross Classical High (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fayetteville, see our Fayetteville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Ferguson-Easley Elementary Fayetteville 0.2 mi 3.1
Cross Creek Early College Fayetteville 0.6 mi 7.9
Cumberland International Early College Fayetteville 0.8 mi 8.4
Ramsey Street High Fayetteville 0.8 mi
Margaret Willis Elementary Fayetteville 1.0 mi 4.1
Luther Nick Jeralds Middle Fayetteville 1.1 mi 3.5
Lucile Souders Elementary Fayetteville 1.3 mi 3.8
Westarea Elementary Fayetteville 1.4 mi 3.2
Reid Ross Classical High Fayetteville 1.6 mi 8.0
Reid Ross Classical Middle Fayetteville 1.6 mi 8.3
Alma O Easom Elementary Fayetteville 1.8 mi 6.4
Terry Sanford High Fayetteville 1.8 mi 5.5
Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School Fayetteville 1.8 mi 7.2
Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville 1.8 mi 7.1
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF FAYETTEVILLE, INC. Fayetteville 2.0 mi 5.7
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville 1.8 mi 7.2
Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville 2.1 mi 8.1
The Capitol Encore Academy Fayetteville 2.3 mi 5.6
ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fayetteville 2.3 mi 7.7
Warrenwood Elementary Fayetteville 2.6 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,955

Median Home Value

$109,900

Median Rent

$926/mo

Population

16,221

College Educated

17.2%

Homeownership

36.2%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

27.8%

Median Age

36

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Jordan Matthews High Siler City, NC 4.7
Maiden High Maiden, NC 4.8
Saint Stephens High Hickory, NC 4.8
Southwestern Randolph High School Asheboro, NC 4.8
Westover High Fayetteville, NC 4.8
North Pitt High Bethel, NC 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about E E Smith High

What grades does E E Smith High serve?

E E Smith High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend E E Smith High?

E E Smith High has an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at E E Smith High?

The student-teacher ratio at E E Smith High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does E E Smith High rank in NC?

E E Smith High ranks #2,107 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is E E Smith High's MySchoolScout rating?

E E Smith High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 E E Smith High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, E E Smith High has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is E E Smith High a charter school?

No, E E Smith High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is E E Smith High a Title I school?

No, E E Smith High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for E E Smith High?

99.7% of students at E E Smith 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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,000
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cumberland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.4%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

District

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

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