Best Elementary Schools in Trinity, NC

There are two elementary schools serving grades K-5 in Trinity, North Carolina, both part of the Randolph County School System: Hopewell Elementary School and Trinity Elementary School, which together enroll about 1,100 students and serve a nearly 100% economically disadvantaged population.

Hopewell Elementary School is the clear academic standout. It has earned a 4-star rating for three straight years, placing in the 71st–84th percentile statewide. Despite 99.56% of its students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, Hopewell consistently beats both district and state averages in math, reading, and science. Its 2025-2026 math proficiency averages 75%, compared to 63.6% statewide, and its fifth-grade science proficiency is 74.3% versus 67.7% statewide. Hopewell is especially strong in math, showing a 15.4-point gap between its own math and reading scores. In contrast, Trinity Elementary School is a 1-star school in the 26th percentile, with proficiency rates below district and state levels in nearly every subject. The gap between the two schools is large: about 19 points overall in the most recent year. Trinity does spend more per pupil ($10,246 vs. $8,788) and has a nearly identical student-teacher ratio (14.5 vs. 14.4), yet still lags far behind.

Positively, both schools have chronic absenteeism rates well below district and state averages, despite high poverty. However, Trinity shows a troubling pattern: its test scores decline sharply as students move from 3rd to 5th grade, suggesting gaps widen during upper elementary. On a brighter note, Trinity is improving—its percentile ranking has risen from 16th to 26th over three years, and its overall proficiency gained about 4.9 points, narrowing the gap with Hopewell. Still, Hopewell remains the top choice for parents seeking strong, consistent academic results, especially in math and science. Trinity, while improving from a low base, may require closer attention to upper-grade intervention to close the substantial gap with its sister school.