Serving 1,529 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 18:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,529 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Top 50% 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
School Overview
Cape Fear High School's student population of 1,529 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 83 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(offers virtual instruction)
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,529 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
83 teachers
Students by Grade
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 0.66, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. 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)
55-59%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
15:1
American Indian
2%
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
11%
20%
Black
28%
25%
White
50%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
45%
57%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
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 Jack Britt High School, Alger B. Wilkins 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?
1,529 students attend Cape Fear High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
50% of Cape Fear High School students are White, 28% of students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, 2% 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 18:1, 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 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Cape Fear High School part of?
Cape Fear High School is part of Cumberland County Schools School District.
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 5/23/2022
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.
1 3/25/2020
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 2/20/2020
Great school. The band director is awesome.
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