Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 28348

Hope Mills, NC (zip code 28348) is home to five elementary schools serving grades PK–5 within the Cumberland County Schools district, collectively enrolling roughly 3,159 students in a community where every school reports free/reduced-price lunch eligibility above 98%. The data reveal stark performance differences despite these nearly identical economic profiles. Gray's Creek Elementary is the clear academic leader, ranking 247th out of 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools (83rd percentile, 4 stars) with an average EOG proficiency of 74.1%. It is the only school in the zip code to exceed state averages on every subject and grade level test, and it boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 12.4%. Gallberry Farm Elementary, despite being the largest school (883 students) and spending the least per pupil, ranks solidly at the 69th percentile with strong math scores and a standout 78.1% science proficiency rate. Rockfish Elementary sits in the middle (63rd percentile, 3 stars) with above-average reading scores across grades 3–5 and a 75th-percentile state ranking the prior year.

At the lower end, C Wayne Collier Elementary and Educational V Baldwin Elementary show persistent and growing challenges. C Wayne Collier ranks 1056th (29th percentile, 1 star) in 2025–2026, a steep fall from the 60th percentile just two years prior, and now posts the group's highest chronic absenteeism rate at 34.5%. Notably, it fails to exceed state averages on any EOG test despite having the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.5) and the highest per-pupil spending ($9,988). Educational V Baldwin ranks 1179th (21st percentile, 1 star) with an average EOG proficiency of just 47.0%, highlighted by very low 5th grade reading (31.6%) and math (38.8%), although its 4th grade reading does exceed both district and state averages.

Overall, the relationship between chronic absenteeism and academic performance is striking across the five schools: Gray's Creek leads both metrics while C Wayne Collier trails in both, highlighting attendance as a likely driver of success. Reading proficiency declines by 5th grade even at stronger schools, making upper-elementary literacy a key area for improvement. For families in this zip code, the school choice matters enormously — Gray's Creek consistently models strong performance and stability, while C Wayne Collier represents the most urgent intervention target among its peers.