Cape Fear High School is a public secondary school in the eastern region of Cumberland County in the unincorporated community of Vander, North Carolina, to the east of Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Cape Fear school attendance area is the largest in the county by area size.
Serving 1,515 students in grades 9-12, Cape Fear High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55-59% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 63% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,515 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
- Minority Enrollment: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Top 20% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 55-59% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 63% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 36% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Cape Fear High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Cape Fear High School's student population of 1,515 students has grown by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 65 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,515 students
Total Classroom Teachers
65 teachers
Year Founded
1969
Colors
Navy Blue, Gold
Campus Size
50 acres
School Motto
Truth and Honor
School Rankings
Cape Fear High School ranks within the top 30% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Cape Fear High School is 0.69, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#710 out of 2617 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)55-59%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
15:1
American Indian
3%
1%
Asian
1%
5%
Hispanic
14%
22%
Black
27%
24%
White
46%
42%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
9%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(21-22)87%
86%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)40.5%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
51%
72%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wild Boars
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cape Fear High School's ranking?
Cape Fear High School is ranked #710 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Cape Fear High School often compared to?
Cape Fear High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Alger B. Wilkins High School, Jack Britt High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
55-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 63% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Cape Fear High School?
The graduation rate of Cape Fear High School is 87%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Cape Fear High School?
1,515 students attend Cape Fear High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
46% of Cape Fear High School students are White, 27% of students are Black, 14% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Cape Fear High School?
Cape Fear High School has a student ration of 23:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Cape Fear High School offer ?
Cape Fear High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Cape Fear High School part of?
Cape Fear High School is part of Cumberland County Schools.
In what neighborhood is Cape Fear High School located?
Cape Fear High School is located in the Cape Fear neighborhood of Fayetteville, NC. There are 5 other public schools located in Cape Fear.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Great school. The band director is awesome.
1 10/10/2025
I'm a former student but I honestly hated this school. It was the worse everyone was so antisocial and not that much diversity and the people were so shady it was just so bad all around. The lunch room was even smaller than a chuck-E-cheese it was really weird how you would have to go outside almost every time to go to your next class and you guys put a lock on about every door and it was very annoying. So yea horrible I wouldn't recommend it to anybody terrible school.
5 10/10/2025
I went to Cape Fear High School and graduated in the year 2020, although I can''t speak for Cape Fear now I can speak for it then. My experiences at Cape Fear were amazing, I know every student is different, and I can''t speak for everybody. However, reading the review above I saw that I needed to make one as well. Cape Fear has one thing that most schools don''t, and that is community. The community involvement in Cape Fear is unbelievable, and the support I''ve gained throughout the years, even now, is amazing. We have an amazing Agriculture program, and band program and our sports teams are awesome. The best advice I can give to a parent that wants to send their child to Cape Fear is to help them explore through the clubs that they offer. I was in SGA, key club, and FFA, and played multiple sports. through these extracurricular activities, I gained so many lifelong friends and soon-to-be colleagues. Every time I visit Cape Fear I get a huge welcoming from all the administrative staff that was there when I graduated, all the coaches, and all the community that remember me. I am planning on being a teacher and I would not want to teach anywhere else. High school can be hard for many students, and don''t get me wrong we''ve all had our hard times. However, I don''t believe that Cape Fear''s name should be hurt by one bad review. I loved Cape Fear and I will always love Cape Fear and I believe it is worth a chance.
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