Sampson County Schools, NC

Original Research by School Decision on Sampson County Schools

Sampson County Schools serves a district of about eight thousand students across eighteen schools, from pre-K through grade twelve, spread across rural Sampson County in the southeastern piedmont. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and White, with a substantial Black population as well. The racial composition reflects the region's demographic profile, which has shifted over the past decade toward greater Hispanic enrollment.

Testing results from the most recent school year show proficiency in math at a middle range and proficiency in English language arts below the middle, with science proficiency sitting between the two. Math proficiency was stronger than reading across the grades tested. The district tested several thousand students in grades three through eight in both subjects. Science assessment results were available for a smaller tested population. A change in the science assessment itself in the current year means comparisons to prior years' science results would not be reliable. State testing data focused on reading, math, and science; high school standardized measures were not included in the available data.

A four-year graduation rate was not reported in the data provided. No chronic absenteeism rate or per-pupil spending figures were available for comparison with neighboring districts. Staffing information and discipline data were not accessible in the payload.

The district spans multiple small towns and rural areas. Housing values across the district's seventeen zip codes range widely, from lower-cost rural areas to somewhat higher-value suburbs near Dunn and Wade. Average home values in the district fall below the state benchmark, placing the area among more affordable parts of North Carolina. Rents, where reported, are modest. For families relocating to the area, home affordability is generally favorable relative to national medians, though it has ticked upward slightly year over year.

Property taxes underwent a significant shift in the current cycle. A county-wide property revaluation in 2024 substantially raised assessed values, triggering a revenue-neutral rate reset to prevent a tax increase. The county has moved from a longer reappraisal schedule to a four-year cycle, meaning home assessments will be updated more frequently going forward. This is a material change for any family buying property in the district, as it will mean more regular adjustments to the portion of taxes supporting schools.

The district has recently launched a Community Schools model in four schools serving the Lakewood area: Roseboro Elementary, Salemburg Elementary, Roseboro-Salemburg Middle, and Lakewood High. Each school has added a full-time Community Schools Coordinator and a Family Resource Center aimed at connecting families, students, and educators with community resources and support. The effort is part of a five-year federally funded expansion led by the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition, focused on rural districts facing persistent poverty. Sampson was the first district in the Sandhills region to join this statewide initiative. For families in those four school zones, this represents a structural addition to how schools will engage with and support families beyond traditional classroom instruction.

The district operates a mix of elementary, middle, and high schools with no charter or magnet offerings reported. An Early College High School option is available, serving students interested in earning dual college and high school credit. Beyond the core academic program, the data did not capture information about career and technical pathways, AP course breadth, or other specialty program detail; families considering the district may want to look further into those offerings with individual schools.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

8,086

Grades

PK–13

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 44%

Black 16%

White 34%

Asian 0%

Two+ 4%

Am. Indian / AK Native 1%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

32%

48%

Gr 4

47%

59%

Gr 5

41%

62%

Gr 6

38%

58%

Gr 7

37%

52%

Gr 8

38%

60%

Gr 38

39%

56%

Math

Gr 3

62%

78%

Gr 4

54%

70%

Gr 5

50%

72%

Gr 6

48%

66%

Gr 7

40%

60%

Gr 8

27%

48%

Gr 38

47%

66%

Science

Gr 5

46%

73%

Gr 8

42%

63%

Gr 38

44%

68%

Schools in this District

18 schools are officially reported under this district.

Plain View Elementary

Roseboro-Salemburg Middle

Sampson Early College High

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

53%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

45%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

52%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$154,129

Year-over-year change+3.1%

Range across 17 ZIP codes$83K to $281K

vs. state typical0.46x

vs. national typical0.42x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (17 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
28328	Clinton	$155K	+2.7%	19.9%
28382	Roseboro	$125K	+0.9%	11.3%
28441	Garland	$83K	+1.7%	8.8%
28334	Dunn	$228K	+3.0%	8.6%
28366	Newton Grove	$166K	+9.0%	7.8%
28444	Harrells	$151K	+0.1%	6.6%
28318	Autryville	$191K	+2.9%	6.4%
28341	Faison	$140K	+5.2%	6.3%
28393	Turkey	$130K	+12.3%	5.3%
28385	Salemburg	$137K	-3.5%	4.4%

Showing top 10 of 17 ZIP codes by land area weight

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,248/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
28334	Dunn	$1,248	—	8.6%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$778/mo

Home price / national median income1.8x

Annual rent / national median income17.9%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$471/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$337,273 (-0.2% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.