Top Rankings
Richmond County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 1,548 students in Richmond County Schools. This district's average middle testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in North Carolina.
Public Middle Schools in Richmond County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
15 Schools
879 Schools
# Students
6,631 Students
493,495 Students
# Teachers
421 Teachers
31,612 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Richmond County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has decreased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#229 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)44%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)81%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.71
0.71
% American Indian
3%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
15%
20%
% Black
36%
25%
% White
38%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,055 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,892 is higher than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$80 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$79 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,055
$11,192
Spending / Student
$11,892
$11,617
Best Richmond County Schools Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Recent Articles
Back-to-School Tech & Online Learning Readiness Checklist
A 2026 guide to back-to-school tech & online learning readiness, helping families prepare devices, connectivity, skills, and safety.
How Public Schools Prepare for College in High School
Learn how public schools prepare for college and what parents should look for as students begin high school. Updated for 2026.
School Choice in 2026: What Parents Must Know
Explore how school choice is reshaping U.S. education in 2026, with updated trends, enrollment data, costs, policies, and practical guidance for parents.
