At a glance
Reported students
533
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
36.87
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
North Carolina elementary enrollment
65th percentile
Compared with 1,460 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
530
Cape Fear Elementary: 533 reported students.
State peer staffing position
46th percentile
14.5:1 reported; state peer median 14.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 475
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.6:1
What the reported data says about Cape Fear Elementary
Cape Fear Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Rocky Point. It is one of 19 current school records connected to Pender County Schools. NCES reports 533 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,460 elementary schools in North Carolina with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 458 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 65th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.5:1, close to the North Carolina median of 14.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (53.8%) and Hispanic or Latino (30.8%). English learners represent 9.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Cape Fear Elementary
- 1How do the reported 14.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 36.87 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 9.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 99.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White53.8%
- Hispanic30.8%
- Black8.6%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial6.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Pender County Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
C.F. Pope Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
530 reported students
North Topsail Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
529 reported students
Malpass Corner Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
513 reported students
Topsail Annandale Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–04
580 reported students
Penderlea Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–08
468 reported students
South Topsail Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
618 reported students
Public schools near Cape Fear Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear Middle Middle · Pender County Schools | 06–08 | 430 | under 0.1 mi |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Other · Pender County Schools | KG–12 | 38 | under 0.1 mi |
| Rocky Point Elementary Elementary · Pender County Schools | PK–05 | 403 | 2.7 mi |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Elementary · New Hanover County Schools | PK–05 | 531 | 4.1 mi |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Elementary · New Hanover County Schools | PK–05 | 502 | 7.9 mi |
| Murrayville Elementary Elementary · New Hanover County Schools | PK–05 | 573 | 8.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Cape Fear Elementary
What grades does Cape Fear Elementary serve?
Cape Fear Elementary reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Pender County Schools.
How many students attend Cape Fear Elementary?
Cape Fear Elementary reported 533 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 65th percentile among 1,460 North Carolina elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 475 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Cape Fear Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 14.5:1, based on 533 students and 36.87 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The North Carolina median for the same school level is 14.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Cape Fear Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Cape Fear Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Pender County Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Cape Fear Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
99.4% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Cape Fear Elementary in?
Cape Fear Elementary is part of Pender County Schools, based in Burgaw, NC, which operates 19 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Cape Fear Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Cape Fear Middle (under 0.1 mi), Pender Innovative Learning Academy (under 0.1 mi), Rocky Point Elementary (2.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.