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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Richmond County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 6,631 students in Richmond County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 399 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Richmond County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Richmond County, NC are Richmond Early College High School, Mineral Springs Elementary School and Fairview Heights Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richmond County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Richmond County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Richmond County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Richmond Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1042 W Hamlet Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 410-1922
Gr: 9-13 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Mineral Springs Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1426 Green Lake Rd
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7915
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Fairview Heights Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
104 Hamilton Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7900
Gr: PK-5 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #44.
Ellerbe Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
128 W Ballard Street
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7925
Gr: 6-8 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #55.
Richmond Senior High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
838 Us 1 North
Rockingham, NC 28380
(910) 997-9812
Gr: 10-12 | 1,365 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #66.
L J Bell Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
442 Hawthorne Ave
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9834
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #77.
East Rockingham Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
154 Chalk Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 557-0900
Gr: K-5 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #88.
Rockingham Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
415 Wall Street
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9827
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Hamlet Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1406 Mcdonald Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7903
Gr: 6-8 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1010.
Monroe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Monroe Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7907
Gr: PK-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1111.
Cordova Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
194 Church St
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9839
Gr: 6-8 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1212.
West Rockingham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
271 W Us 74 Hwy
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9802
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1313.
Washington Street Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
566 E Washington St Ext
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9836
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1414.
Ashley Chapel Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
377 Mizpah Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Gr: 6-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Richmond 9th Grade Academy
804 County Home Rd
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7800
Gr: 9 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 71:1 Minority enrollment: 62%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Richmond County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Richmond County, NC include Richmond Early College High School, Mineral Springs Elementary School and Fairview Heights Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Richmond County?
15 public schools are located in Richmond County.
What percentage of students in Richmond County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Richmond County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Richmond County?
Richmond County public schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Richmond County are often viewed compared to one another?

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