The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Science. The lowest is 49% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Upchurch Elementary
Upchurch Elementary is a public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Raeford, a small county seat in Hoke County, North Carolina. The school enrolls a student body that is economically disadvantaged: nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is racially and ethnically diverse, with substantial shares of Black and Hispanic students alongside white, multiracial, and smaller numbers of American Indian and Asian students.
The school's academic performance shows mixed results on North Carolina's End-of-Grade tests. In mathematics, about half of students in tested grades scored at proficiency or above. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was somewhat lower, with students just below the half-mark. Science performance was stronger, with roughly two-thirds of students proficient. Parents may want to look into the school's math and reading support strategies further with the school directly, since proficiency in those subjects sits below where many districts target. The science results suggest the school has areas of strength to build on.
Upchurch sits within Hoke County Schools, a district experiencing rapid growth anchored largely by expansions at nearby Fort Liberty military installation. Hoke County is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, with new residential developments actively marketing hundreds of new home floor plans across the area. This growth is bringing infrastructure investment: the school district is completing a major on-site replacement and expansion of Hoke County High School, funded by a substantial state grant plus local county money. That facility investment signals the district's commitment to capacity and program improvements across the system. For families considering a move into the area, this growth trajectory means the schools are positioned at the center of the county's expansion and likely to see new resources flowing into the district over the coming years.
Raeford itself is a small city with a multicultural identity shaped by European heritage, a substantial African American community, Lumbee Indian families, and a military-connected population. The town has a historic downtown anchored by the Hoke County Courthouse and a small commercial district, though daily life is organized largely around suburban and rural patterns rather than dense walkability. Housing in the area is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks, and most residents own their homes. Major employers include the Butterball processing facility, a long-standing textile mill serving military supply chains, the school district, and the nearby military base. The economy is rooted in both service and manufacturing, with steady employment opportunity but limited diversity in job sectors.
Upchurch's peer context is limited for comparison: Hoke County contains only one traditional school district, so meaningful academic comparisons to other districts in the same county are not available. The school represents the county's elementary capacity and serves the foundational grades in a district that is investing heavily in high school infrastructure and managing rapid growth. For parents weighing this school, the question is less how it ranks against nearby alternatives and more whether its academic profile, student composition, and district trajectory align with their family's needs and values.
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