Below Average
#2323 of 2,648 schools in NC
Margaret Willis Elementary
Elementary School · Cumberland County Schools
1412 Belvedere Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,323 of 2,648
In Fayetteville
#57 of 66
public schools
In district
#74 of 84
Cumberland County Schools
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Margaret Willis Elementary
Elementary School in Fayetteville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cumberland International Early College
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alma O Easom Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Margaret Willis Elementary
Margaret Willis Elementary is a public elementary school in Fayetteville, NC, part of Cumberland County Schools. Margaret Willis Elementary serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Margaret Willis Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,323 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Margaret Willis Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Margaret Willis Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Margaret Willis Elementary — Students at Margaret Willis Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.1/10.
How Margaret Willis Elementary Compares
See how Margaret Willis Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1412 Belvedere Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Margaret Willis Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vanstory Hills Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fayetteville, see our Fayetteville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland International Early College Fayetteville | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Alma O Easom Elementary Fayetteville | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Cross Creek Early College Fayetteville | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Terry Sanford High Fayetteville | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Ferguson-Easley Elementary Fayetteville | 1.0 mi | 3.1 |
| E E Smith High Fayetteville | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Ramsey Street High Fayetteville | 1.3 mi | — |
| Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Vanstory Hills Elementary Fayetteville | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| R Max Abbott Middle Fayetteville | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Westarea Elementary Fayetteville | 1.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School Fayetteville | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| The Capitol Encore Academy Fayetteville | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Ashley Elementary Fayetteville | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Luther Nick Jeralds Middle Fayetteville | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fayetteville | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Lucile Souders Elementary Fayetteville | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY Fayetteville | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,612
Median Home Value
$242,600
Median Rent
$1,029/mo
Population
5,993
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
56.6%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
42.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC | 4.1 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia, NC | 4.1 |
| Graham A Barden Elementary Havelock, NC | 4.1 |
| Crosscreek Charter School Louisburg, NC | 4.0 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir, NC | 4.0 |
| Lindley Park Elementary Asheboro, NC | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Margaret Willis Elementary
What grades does Margaret Willis Elementary serve?
Margaret Willis Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Margaret Willis Elementary?
Margaret Willis Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Margaret Willis Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Margaret Willis Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Margaret Willis Elementary rank in NC?
Margaret Willis Elementary ranks #2,323 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Margaret Willis Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Margaret Willis Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Margaret Willis Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Margaret Willis Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Margaret Willis Elementary a charter school?
No, Margaret Willis Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Margaret Willis Elementary a Title I school?
No, Margaret Willis Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Margaret Willis Elementary?
99.1% of students at Margaret Willis 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Cumberland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (910) 484-9064
Resources & Links
District
Cumberland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 49,314
- Schools in District
- 86
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,118
- District Rank
- #74 of 84
How we rate schools
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