For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public elementary schools serving 4,503 students in Richmond County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Richmond County, NC are Mineral Springs Elementary School, Fairview Heights Elementary School and Ellerbe Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richmond County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Richmond County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Richmond County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mineral Springs Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1426 Green Lake Rd
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7915
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7915
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Fairview Heights Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
104 Hamilton Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7900
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7900
Gr: PK-5 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
Ellerbe Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
128 W Ballard Street
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7925
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7925
Gr: 6-8 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #44.
L J Bell Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
442 Hawthorne Ave
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9834
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9834
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #55.
East Rockingham Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
154 Chalk Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 557-0900
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 557-0900
Gr: K-5 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #66.
Rockingham Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
415 Wall Street
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9827
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9827
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #77.
Hamlet Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1406 Mcdonald Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7903
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7903
Gr: 6-8 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Monroe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 Monroe Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7907
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7907
Gr: PK-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Cordova Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
194 Church St
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9839
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9839
Gr: 6-8 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1010.
West Rockingham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
271 W Us 74 Hwy
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9802
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9802
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1111.
Washington Street Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
566 E Washington St Ext
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9836
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9836
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1212.
Ashley Chapel Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
377 Mizpah Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Gr: 6-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Richmond County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Richmond County, NC include Mineral Springs Elementary School, Fairview Heights Elementary School and Ellerbe Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Richmond County?
12 public elementary schools are located in Richmond County.
What is the racial composition of students in Richmond County?
Richmond County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Richmond County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Richmond County include: Monroe Avenue Elementary School vs. Hamlet Middle School, Cordova Middle School vs. Ellerbe Middle School, Ellerbe Middle School vs. Hamlet Middle School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
