For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 6,631 students in Richmond County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 406 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Richmond County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Richmond County, NC are Richmond Early College High School, Mineral Springs Elementary School and Fairview Heights Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richmond County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Richmond County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Richmond County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Richmond Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1042 W Hamlet Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 410-1922
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 410-1922
Grades: 9-13
| 282 students
Rank: #22.
Mineral Springs Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1426 Green Lake Rd
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7915
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7915
Grades: PK-5
| 413 students
Rank: #33.
Fairview Heights Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
104 Hamilton Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7900
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7900
Grades: PK-5
| 495 students
Rank: #44.
Ellerbe Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
128 W Ballard Street
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7925
Ellerbe, NC 28338
(910) 582-7925
Grades: 6-8
| 202 students
Rank: #55.
Richmond Senior High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
838 Us 1 North
Rockingham, NC 28380
(910) 997-9812
Rockingham, NC 28380
(910) 997-9812
Grades: 10-12
| 1,358 students
Rank: #66.
L J Bell Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
442 Hawthorne Ave
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9834
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9834
Grades: PK-5
| 480 students
Rank: #77.
East Rockingham Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
154 Chalk Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 557-0900
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 557-0900
Grades: K-5
| 462 students
Rank: #88.
Rockingham Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
415 Wall Street
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9827
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9827
Grades: 6-8
| 590 students
Rank: #99.
Hamlet Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1406 Mcdonald Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7903
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7903
Grades: 6-8
| 409 students
Rank: #1010.
Monroe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 Monroe Ave
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7907
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7907
Grades: PK-5
| 379 students
Rank: #1111.
Cordova Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
194 Church St
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9839
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9839
Grades: 6-8
| 254 students
Rank: #1212.
West Rockingham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
271 W Us 74 Hwy
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9802
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9802
Grades: PK-5
| 317 students
Rank: #1313.
Washington Street Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
566 E Washington St Ext
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9836
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9836
Grades: PK-5
| 409 students
Rank: #1414.
Ashley Chapel Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
377 Mizpah Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Grades: 6-12
| 93 students
Rank: n/an/a
804 County Home Rd
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7800
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7800
Grades: 9
| 488 students
Richmond County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
377 Mispah Rd
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9797
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9797
Grades: 4-6
| 132 students
Cordova School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
194 Church St
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9805
Cordova, NC 28330
(910) 997-9805
Grades: PK-12
| 98 students
106 Thompson St
Hoffman, NC 28347
(910) 281-3454
Hoffman, NC 28347
(910) 281-3454
Grades: PK-6
| 161 students
Richmond County Transitional High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
112 Mary Wall Rd
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9797
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9797
Grades: 9-12
| 69 students
269 Cartledge Creek Rd
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9196
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9196
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
804 County Home Road
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7800
Hamlet, NC 28345
(910) 582-7800
Grades: PK-3
| 468 students
124 Roberdel Sch Rd
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9810
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9810
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
102 Safie Sixth St
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9824
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9824
Grades: PK-3
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Richmond County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Richmond County, NC include Richmond Early College High School, Mineral Springs Elementary School and Fairview Heights Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Richmond County?
15 public schools are located in Richmond County.
What percentage of students in Richmond County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Richmond County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Richmond County?
Richmond County public schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Richmond County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Richmond County include: Monroe Avenue Elementary School vs. Hamlet Middle School, Cordova Middle School vs. Ellerbe Middle School, Ellerbe Middle School vs. Hamlet Middle School
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