Excellent
#427 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 16% in state
Margaret Willis Elementary
Elementary School · Cumberland County Schools
1412 Belvedere Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fayetteville
#13 of 66
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#385 of 1,474
In district
#20 of 84
Cumberland County Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Margaret Willis Elementary
Margaret Willis Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 323 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Margaret Willis Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of 47th percentile among North Carolina schools.
Students demonstrate proficiency rates in reading and math around the 36% mark. The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Cumberland County, providing students access to urban resources while fostering a close-knit community atmosphere. Despite its current academic standing, Margaret Willis Elementary remains committed to supporting the educational development of its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Margaret Willis Elementary — Students at Margaret Willis Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 9.2/10.
How Margaret Willis Elementary Compares
See how Margaret Willis Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 44.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 41.9% (2025).
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. Vanstory Hills Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ashley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.1 |
| Alma O Easom Elementary Fayetteville | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Cross Creek Early College Fayetteville | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Terry Sanford High Fayetteville | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Ferguson-Easley Elementary Fayetteville | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| E E Smith High Fayetteville | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Ramsey Street High Fayetteville | 1.3 mi | — |
| Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Vanstory Hills Elementary Fayetteville | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| R Max Abbott Middle Fayetteville | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Westarea Elementary Fayetteville | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School Fayetteville | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| The Capitol Encore Academy Fayetteville | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Ashley Elementary Fayetteville | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Luther Nick Jeralds Middle Fayetteville | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fayetteville | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Lucile Souders Elementary Fayetteville | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Margaret Willis Elementary has a median household income of $70,612. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,600, with a median rent of $1,029/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Bridgeton Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.0 |
| Brier Creek Elementary Thomasville, NC | 8.0 |
| Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 8.0 |
| C C Spaulding Elementary Durham, NC | 8.0 |
| Claxton Elementary Asheville, NC | 8.0 |
| Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly, NC | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #427 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Margaret Willis Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Margaret Willis Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Margaret Willis Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Margaret Willis Elementary has 36.2% math proficiency and 35.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fayetteville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 484-9064
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cumberland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 49,314
- Schools in District
- 86
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,118
- District Rank
- #20 of 84
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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