Summary
Deep River Elementary is a K–5 school in Sanford, N.C., serving 557 students as part of Lee County Schools. The school holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 53rd percentile among North Carolina elementary schools, putting it above its district’s 39th-percentile standing. Math is the clear strength: about 7 in 10 third and fourth graders scored proficient on state math tests, above state averages. Reading is weaker, especially in 5th grade, where just 46% of students scored proficient versus 55% statewide. Science scores also dropped sharply this past year after several strong years.
Nearly all Deep River students come from low-income households, and the school outperforms its district overall. But nearby high-poverty schools show a wide range of outcomes. Tramway Elementary, a short drive away, ranks in the 89th percentile with 4 stars and posts far higher reading and math scores, plus a much lower chronic absenteeism rate (6.2% vs. 20.5%). Several other Lee County elementary schools — including J.R. Ingram Junior Elementary, BT Bullock Elementary, J. Glenn Edwards Elementary, Broadway Elementary, and W.B. Wicker Elementary — rank below Deep River, showing that this school is doing something right, particularly in math.
One warning sign is the growing gender gap: the school ranks in the 66th percentile for female students but only the 41st for male students. Effectiveness for Hispanic, low-income, and special education students has also slipped over the past two years. The biggest concern, however, is Gifted and Talented support, which has ranked in the bottom 10th percentile statewide for three straight years, including the 5th percentile most recently. Chronic absenteeism has improved dramatically, from 43.8% in 2021-22 to 20.5% now, slightly better than the state average. Bottom line: Deep River is a solid mid-tier school with notable strengths in math and meaningful room to improve in reading, science, and service to its highest-performing students.
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