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Don D Steed Elementary

Q: Is Don D Steed Elementary a good school?

Don D Steed Elementary ranks 577 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

577^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 61% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Don D Steed Elementary serves approximately 628 students in grades PK–5 in Raeford, North Carolina, and is part of Hoke County Schools. Despite being a high-poverty school where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, Don D Steed is the clear standout in its district. In 2025–2026, it ranked in the 61st percentile statewide and earned 3 stars, while nearby Hoke County schools like Sandy Grove, Upchurch, Rockfish Hoke, and Hawk Eye all finished in the bottom 40th percentile or lower. It is the only local elementary school to earn 3 stars, a remarkable achievement given the district’s overall 1-star rating.

Reading is the school’s greatest strength. Proficiency rates exceeded both district and state averages at every grade: 64.5% in 3rd grade, 61.3% in 4th grade, and a striking 75.3% in 5th grade — higher than even Stoney Point Elementary, a well-regarded school just 8 miles away. Math is solid in the early grades, but 5th grade math proficiency (49.4%) trails the state average (62.9%). Attendance is another positive, with chronic absenteeism at 20.6% — below the state’s 24.2% and well below Hoke County’s 28.5%. The student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1 is also the lowest among all nearby schools, which may contribute to the strong academic outcomes.

In recent years, the school has served its Hispanic, White, and African American students well compared with similar groups statewide. However, special education students and English Language Learners are not seeing the same level of success, with both subgroups ranking below average in the most recent year. Don D Steed has historically shown it can reach elite heights — it ranked in the 87th percentile statewide in 2017–2018. If the school can bring its math achievement closer to its reading results and strengthen support for its most vulnerable students, it has every chance of reclaiming that top-tier status.

628

Students ?

11.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

Community Eligibility

All students receive free meals (2024-25) ?

84.7%

Kindergartners up to date on all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 2.4% (any vaccine)

800 Phillipi Church Rd
Raeford, NC 28376

(910) 875-1125

District: Hoke County Schools

Students who attend Don D Steed Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	East Hoke Middle
High:	Hoke County High
	SandHoke Early College High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

32.0%

White:

27.5%

African American:

27.5%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Don D Steed Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 55th percentile in 2023 → 61st in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 61st (2026) from a 55th-percentile low (2023)

✓Above the North Carolina median (61st percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg52%

North Carolina avg61%

577^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 39%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From top 25% (2016) to top 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

183^rd of 246Hoke County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	60.0	577 of 1492	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.3	421 of 1490	71.7%	★★★★☆
2024	59.9	583 of 1505	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.7	679 of 1502	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.8	483 of 1514	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.5	530 of 1489	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.6	269 of 1473	81.7%	★★★★☆
2018	82.9	186 of 1434	87.0%	★★★★☆
2017	70.0	406 of 1429	71.6%	★★★★☆
2016	72.0	360 of 1425	74.7%	★★★★☆
2015	64.8	487 of 1440	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	54.1	630 of 1390	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	50.7	648 of 1403	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	58.8	627 of 1388	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	67.4	460 of 1381	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	58.1	645 of 1363	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2009	41.0	904 of 1354	33.2%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	61.0	291 of 903	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	74.6	161 of 918	82.5%	★★★★☆
2024	54.0	375 of 924	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.6	257 of 933	72.5%	★★★★☆
2022	67.6	210 of 927	77.3%	★★★★☆
2021	78.2	101 of 896	88.7%	★★★★☆
2019	92.5	34 of 949	96.4%	★★★★★
2018	93.6	16 of 927	98.3%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	70.6	146 of 878	83.4%	★★★★☆
2018	72.7	130 of 897	85.5%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	34.8	363 of 519	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.5	107 of 514	79.2%	★★★★☆
2018	61.9	109 of 421	74.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.4	565 of 1447	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.5	480 of 1451	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.7	608 of 1455	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.8	664 of 1459	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.7	415 of 1458	71.5%	★★★★☆
2021	63.5	456 of 1440	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	75.8	283 of 1424	80.1%	★★★★☆
2018	82.1	184 of 1405	86.9%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	68.6	32 of 582	94.5%	★★★★★
2022	70.2	14 of 500	97.2%	★★★★☆
2019	65.3	191 of 612	68.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	64.1	279 of 981	71.6%	★★★★☆
2025	76.3	134 of 961	86.1%	★★★★☆
2024	80.8	113 of 951	88.1%	★★★★☆
2023	68.4	202 of 915	77.9%	★★★★☆
2022	82.3	86 of 893	90.4%	★★★★★
2021	78.2	109 of 843	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	75.1	141 of 865	83.7%	★★★★☆
2018	78.2	120 of 851	85.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.1	685 of 1434	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.0	462 of 1437	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.1	529 of 1450	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.1	692 of 1437	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.2	711 of 1366	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.2	580 of 1329	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	87.4	76 of 1361	94.4%	★★★★★
2018	88.4	57 of 1332	95.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.8	584 of 1451	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.7	366 of 1450	74.8%	★★★★☆
2024	61.7	533 of 1464	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.9	666 of 1461	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.1	548 of 1464	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.3	563 of 1444	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	76.8	260 of 1430	81.8%	★★★★☆
2018	81.4	196 of 1413	86.1%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.2	33 of 67	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.1	14 of 72	80.6%	★★★★☆
2024	48.2	42 of 75	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	50.4	43 of 81	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	67.4	21 of 85	75.3%	★★★★☆
2021	60.8	26 of 76	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.3	14 of 72	80.6%	★★★★☆
2018	73.8	15 of 76	80.3%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.0	106 of 181	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	28.2	132 of 175	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	34.2	557 of 815	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	22.5	737 of 821	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.3	615 of 801	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	75.4	253 of 1146	77.9%	★★★★☆
2025	70.0	316 of 1172	73.0%	★★★★☆
2024	54.8	534 of 1166	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	39.7	767 of 1183	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.2	523 of 1194	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.2	478 of 1172	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	71.7	292 of 1183	75.3%	★★★★☆
2018	73.4	285 of 1178	75.8%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Gifted and Talented (2023)95th percentile+40 vs school

Disabled (2019)83rd percentile~ school

White (2026)78th percentile+17 vs school

Hispanic (2026)72nd percentile+10 vs school

African American (2026)68th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)61st percentile~ school

Male (2026)60th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile-9 vs school

Military Connected (2026)51st percentile-11 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)41st percentile-20 vs school

Special Education (2026)32nd percentile-30 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)30th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science72%+4 vs state

Reading66%+10 vs state

Mathematics59%-5 vs state

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Schools Near Don D Steed Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners up to date on all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Don D Steed Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	800 Phillipi Church Rd	Raeford	28376	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 875-1125	628	54	11.6	—	173 (27.5%)	173 (27.5%)	201 (32.0%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.1%)	3 (0.5%)	64 (10.2%)	60	577^th of 1492 public elementary schools	61.3%		68.3	421^st of 1490 public elementary schools	71.7%	156	64.5	60.4	49.4	64.5	61.3	75.3	71.6	84.7%	2.4%	$9,923	$1,349	$8,574
Scurlock Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	775 Rockfish Rd	Raeford	28376	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 875-4182	611	40	15.3	—	86 (14.1%)	224 (36.7%)	222 (36.3%)	3 (0.5%)	6 (1.0%)	6 (1.0%)	64 (10.5%)	24	1207^th of 1492 public elementary schools	19.1%		33.4	1030^th of 1490 public elementary schools	30.9%	177	63.9	44.0	33.3	47.2	47.7	39.6	46.4	71.8%	0%	$8,635	$1,313	$7,322
J W McLauchlin Elementary	Public	K-5	326 N Main St	Raeford	28376	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 875-8721	304	25	12.1	—	71 (23.4%)	115 (37.8%)	72 (23.7%)	3 (1.0%)	13 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (9.9%)	25.1	1187^th of 1492 public elementary schools	20.4%		30.7	1077^th of 1490 public elementary schools	27.7%	110	54.9	38.6	68.9	37.3	36.4	33.3	57.8	90.9%	0%	$12,042	$1,365	$10,677
Rockfish Hoke Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6251 Rockfish Rd	Raeford	28376	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	No	(910) 875-9343	606	39	15.7	—	206 (34.0%)	148 (24.4%)	151 (24.9%)	19 (3.1%)	8 (1.3%)	7 (1.2%)	67 (11.1%)	32.3	1051^st of 1492 public elementary schools	29.6%		45.3	824^th of 1490 public elementary schools	44.7%	227	62.1	37.6	46.5	38.9	44.0	52.3	70.6	96.6%	2.2%	$7,820	$1,036	$6,784
Upchurch Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	730 Turnpike Road	Raeford	28376	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 875-1574	646	40	16.0	—	89 (13.8%)	277 (42.9%)	188 (29.1%)	5 (0.8%)	11 (1.7%)	3 (0.5%)	73 (11.3%)	38.1	941^st of 1492 public elementary schools	36.9%		45.5	823^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	44.8%	118	62.5	50.0	53.2	45.5	47.9	42.9	76.6	97.9%	1%	$9,060	$1,408	$7,652
Sandy Grove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8452 North Old Wire Road	Lumber Bridge	28357	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 875-6008	557	40	14.1	—	137 (24.6%)	150 (26.9%)	137 (24.6%)	7 (1.3%)	60 (10.8%)	4 (0.7%)	62 (11.1%)	40.6	895^th of 1492 public elementary schools	40.0%		56.6	619^th of 1490 public elementary schools	58.5%	276	68.4	55.0	54.0	55.7	50.0	43.0	62.0	92.7%	1.2%	$9,694	$1,248	$8,446
Lake Rim Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1455 Hoke Loop Road	Fayetteville	28314	Cumberland County	Cumberland County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 867-1133	656	41	15.9	—	76 (11.6%)	376 (57.3%)	128 (19.5%)	10 (1.5%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (9.1%)	28.8	1119^th of 1492 public elementary schools	25.0%		32.6	1043^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	30.0%	76	51.8	38.1	43.6	51.8	51.4	42.6	63.4	87.6%	2.1%	$8,613	$1,279	$7,333
New Century International Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7465 Century Circle	Fayetteville	28306	Cumberland County	Cumberland County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 487-2340	686	46	14.7	97.4%	155 (22.6%)	293 (42.7%)	129 (18.8%)	19 (2.8%)	9 (1.3%)	2 (0.3%)	79 (11.5%)	34.7	1014^th of 1492 public elementary schools	32.0%		47.8	786^th of 1490 public elementary schools	47.2%	228	52.6	50.4	44.4	54.6	54.0	51.9	56.5	97.6%	0%	$9,286	$1,041	$8,245
Hawk Eye Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4321 Old Maxton Road	Red Springs	28377	Hoke County	Hoke County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 875-2470	328	27	12.2	—	15 (4.6%)	43 (13.1%)	106 (32.3%)	0 (0.0%)	123 (37.5%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (12.5%)	12.1	1394^th of 1492 public elementary schools	6.6%		5.5	1467^th of 1490 public elementary schools	1.5%	73	45.1	44.4	40.5	27.5	31.5	40.5	42.9	92.9%	2.4%	$11,413	$1,480	$9,933
Stoney Point Elementary	Public	K-5	7411 Rockfish Road	Fayetteville	28306	Cumberland County	Cumberland County Schools	No	No	No	No	(910) 424-3945	780	50	15.4	—	264 (33.8%)	170 (21.8%)	156 (20.0%)	73 (9.4%)	20 (2.6%)	9 (1.2%)	88 (11.3%)	71.5	389^th of 1492 public elementary schools	73.9%		72.9	347^th of 1490 public elementary schools	76.7%	42	64.8	69.1	71.4	60.7	69.1	72.1	76.4	96.2%	0%	$8,134	$835	$7,299

Frequently Asked Questions about Don D Steed Elementary

What district is Don D Steed Elementary in?

Hoke County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Don D Steed Elementary?

Students at Don D Steed Elementary are 32% Hispanic, 28% White, 28% African American, 10% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

Is Don D Steed Elementary a good school?

Don D Steed Elementary ranks 577^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Don D Steed Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 628 students attended Don D Steed Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Don D Steed Elementary attend?

Students who attend Don D Steed Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : East Hoke Middle
High : Hoke County High
High : SandHoke Early College High

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 graduation rates (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2020–21 through 2025–26 immunization ratesOct 19, 2026

2022–23 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 attendance dataSep 2, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.