The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Math. The lowest is 54% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Gallberry Farm Elementary
Gallberry Farm Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Hope Mills, a growing residential suburb south of Fayetteville in Cumberland County. The school enrolls a student body that is economically, racially, and ethnically diverse. A nearly universal share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the community's income profile. The student population includes roughly equal proportions of white and Black students, with substantial representation of Hispanic and multiracial students and smaller populations of American Indian, Asian, and Native Hawaiian students.
The school's most recent state testing results, from spring 2025, show proficiency rates in the middle range. In mathematics, a majority of third through fifth graders scored proficient or above on the End-of-Grade test. In English language arts, proficiency fell noticeably lower, with just over half of tested students meeting that threshold. Science proficiency was solid, though the science test was administered to only a subset of students. These results reflect a school working to build foundational skills across its grades, with math performance outpacing reading. Parents may want to ask the school directly about reading support and intervention strategies, since language arts proficiency is the softest area of the three tested subjects.
Gallberry Farm's enrollment sits at just under a thousand students spread across its seven grades. The school is full relative to typical elementary capacity. Grade distribution is relatively even across kindergarten through fifth grade, with smaller pre-K enrollment, suggesting stable or modestly growing demand. Housing in the 28348 ZIP code around Hope Mills is moderately priced and has remained stable; the local rental market is also accessible, with median rents roughly a third of estimated monthly mortgage costs. This affordability, combined with proximity to Fort Liberty and the town's family-oriented amenities including parks, a lake, and municipal recreation, draws families looking for suburban living without the premium of closer-in Fayetteville neighborhoods.
Hope Mills itself is in the midst of substantial growth. New subdivisions are actively under construction, commercial development is underway, and the town recently adopted updated zoning and subdivision ordinances. The civic core clusters around Hope Mills Lake and the municipal park system rather than a traditional downtown, and the area is car-dependent; most errands require personal transportation. Schools are located on separate campuses rather than within a walkable town center.
At the district level, Cumberland County Schools is managing a major facilities consolidation driven by a recent study identifying significant repair needs across its buildings. The school board has voted to close Manchester Elementary and J.W. Coon, with students reassigned for the next school year, and more closures are anticipated. Gallberry Farm is not mentioned in the closures announced to date, but the district-wide upheaval means attendance zones, busing patterns, and school communities may shift. Additionally, the district ended its reliance on federal pandemic-relief funding in fall 2024 and is operating with a structural budget deficit, drawing on fund reserves to cover positions and services formerly paid by emergency aid. This fiscal pressure underlies the consolidation decisions and will shape staffing, class sizes, and program availability across the district going forward. Families considering Gallberry Farm should check with the school and district about any rezoning or consolidation plans that could affect their assignment or busing.
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