The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in Science. The lowest is 55% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Howard L Hall Elementary
Howard L Hall Elementary is a small K-5 school in Fayetteville serving a student body that is economically disadvantaged and racially diverse. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment breaks down across six grade levels with roughly equal distribution, creating a typical elementary school community.
On state assessments in 2024-25, the school's performance in math and language arts sits below the midpoint of typical proficiency. About three in five students in grades 3 through 5 scored at proficient level or above in math, while just over half did so in language arts. In science, performance was stronger, with roughly three-quarters of tested students meeting proficiency, though science testing at the elementary level is narrower in scope. State testing data was not available for prior years, so recent trend direction is not visible.
The school's student body is majority students of color: about one-third Black, close to one-fifth Hispanic, and about three-tenths white, with smaller shares of students from multiple racial backgrounds and Asian students. About half the tested enrollment in reading and math comes from families whose home language may not be English, though specific English learner enrollment counts were not available in the data. The school has no reported counts of students in special education, so that population either falls below reporting threshold or was not disclosed.
Fayetteville itself is a mid-sized military city anchored by Fort Liberty, home to the Army's Airborne and Special Operations Forces. The broader region has steady housing demand driven by military turnover and economic migration; median home values in the area are moderate relative to the nation, and rents have risen modestly year over year. The city is car-dependent except for a small downtown core along Hay Street, though a Pedestrian Plan is underway to add sidewalks near schools and parks.
The district serving Hall Elementary is Cumberland County Schools, which is navigating significant institutional change. After a 2025 facilities study identified substantial repair costs across its building stock, the board approved a major consolidation plan that includes school closures, relocations, and calendar changes. Specifically, the district voted to close two elementary schools, Manchester and J.W. Coon, with students reassigned for the coming school year, with more closures possible through the statutory process. The district also faces a structural budget deficit after federal pandemic relief funding ended, drawing from reserves to cover recurring positions and contracted services. These changes reshape school choice and attendance zones across the county and are a significant factor for families deciding where to live.
For families considering Hall Elementary, the starting question is whether the school's location and community fit your needs and your child's learning profile. The proficiency rates in reading and math point to a school where many students need support to reach grade-level benchmarks, which may matter if your child benefits from strong foundational instruction or needs small-group intervention. The school's demographics reflect a working-poor and diverse enrollment, which shapes peer group and family culture. The broader context of district consolidation means that school assignments and transportation may shift, so a parent may want to look into the district's timeline and how Hall Elementary specifically factors into those plans.
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