Excellent
#36 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · Cumberland County Schools
311 Bonanza Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fayetteville
#2 of 66
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#33 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 84
Cumberland County Schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary serves 391 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A regular public school, it earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with a standout growth score of 9.8 and a strong academic score of 8.3. The numbers behind that rating are significant.
Ponderosa ranks #36 out of 2,648 public schools in North Carolina, outperforming 99% of schools statewide. That's not just an academic story — the 9.8 growth score, the school's highest-rated dimension, reflects how rapidly students advance regardless of where they start. Among Fayetteville's 66 public schools, Ponderosa holds the #2 position, and it places #33 of 1,474 elementary schools across the state.
The school's 13.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio supports that growth. Smaller class sizes give teachers room to track individual progress and adjust instruction — a structural advantage that shows up in the data. For families weighing elementary options in the Fayetteville area, Ponderosa's combination of high academic performance and top-tier student growth puts it among the most compelling school profiles in North Carolina.
Score Breakdown
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Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
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: 9.8/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 62.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 57.1% (2025).
Location
311 Bonanza Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montclair Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is William H Owen Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Loyd E Auman Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fayetteville, see our Fayetteville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Westover Middle Fayetteville | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| BRIGHT YOUNG MINDS UNIVERSITY Fayetteville | 0.3 mi | — |
| Westover High Fayetteville | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Morganton Road Elementary Fayetteville | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Cliffdale Elementary Fayetteville | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| RENAISSANCE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| BAL-PERAZIM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Alger B. Wilkins High School Fayetteville | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Anne Chesnutt Middle Fayetteville | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Lewis Chapel Middle Fayetteville | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Montclair Elementary Fayetteville | 2.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Brentwood Elementary Fayetteville | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Seventy-First High Fayetteville | 3.5 mi | 3.8 |
| FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY Fayetteville | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Seventy-First Classical Middle Fayetteville | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Loyd E Auman Elementary Fayetteville | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| BIRDS NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fayetteville | 3.7 mi | — |
| William H Owen Elementary Fayetteville | 3.6 mi | 8.3 |
| FIRST IMPRESSIONS ACADEMY Fayetteville | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,261
Median Home Value
$174,900
Median Rent
$1,125/mo
Population
30,220
College Educated
29.6%
Homeownership
45.7%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Median Age
34.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa Elementary has a median household income of $53,261. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,900, with a median rent of $1,125/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 9.1 |
| Candler Elementary Candler, NC | 9.1 |
| Easley Elementary Durham, NC | 9.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion, NC | 9.1 |
| Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School Forest City, NC | 9.1 |
| Grandy Primary Camden, NC | 9.1 |
Compare Ponderosa Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa Elementary
What grades does Ponderosa Elementary serve?
Ponderosa Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary?
Ponderosa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa Elementary rank in NC?
Ponderosa Elementary is ranked #36 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Ponderosa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa Elementary has 49.6% math proficiency and 47.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a charter school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa Elementary?
99.2% of students at Ponderosa 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
- 391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Cumberland County
- Phone
- (910) 864-0148
- 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
- #3 of 84
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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.
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