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Ponderosa Elementary

Summary:

Ponderosa Elementary is a public elementary school in Fayetteville, North Carolina, serving 366 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Cumberland County Schools district, which is ranked 138 out of 242 districts in the state.

Ponderosa Elementary stands out for its diverse student population, with a significantly higher percentage of African American (52.73%) and Hispanic (22.95%) students compared to nearby schools. Despite these demographic differences, the school has demonstrated strong academic performance, particularly in Mathematics and Science, and has shown consistent improvement in its statewide ranking, moving from 1307 out of 1489 North Carolina elementary schools in 2020-2021 to 674 out of 1505 in 2023-2024, with a 3-star rating. The school's African American and Hispanic student subgroups perform exceptionally well, ranking in the top 25% and top 15% of North Carolina elementary schools, respectively.

Another notable feature of Ponderosa Elementary is its relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.3 to 13.5 over the past three school years, which is lower than most of the nearby schools, such as Bill Hefner Elementary, William H Owen Elementary, and Loyd E Auman Elementary. Additionally, the school has an extremely high percentage of students (over 99%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population, yet Ponderosa Elementary has been able to achieve academic success in the face of these challenges.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 311 Bonanza Drive
       Fayetteville, NC  28303-6398

(910) 864-0148

District: Cumberland County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
674th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,309 Help


Students who attend Ponderosa Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Westover Middle
High:    Westover High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.4 Help
Number of students:  391

Racial breakdown:

African American:
55.8%
Hispanic:
22.0%
Two or more races:
10.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ponderosa Elementary ranks better than 55.2% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 19th among 46 ranked elementary schools in the Cumberland County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.3. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (55.8%), Hispanic (22%), two or more races (10.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 13.4, which is the 21st best among 46 elementary schools in the Cumberland County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ponderosa Elementary employs 29 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ponderosa Elementary is $9,309. 34 elementary schools in the Cumberland County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ponderosa Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponderosa Elementary 674th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Ponderosa Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Cumberland County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Cumberland County Schools 138th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Ponderosa Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 37.95 900th 1276 29.5%
2007 43.34 841st 1293 35.0%
2008 20.97 1123rd 1324 15.2%
2009 23.46 1113th 1354 17.8%
2010 22.46 1146th 1363 15.9%
2011 29.02 1084th 1381 21.5%
2012 29.99 1090th 1388 21.5%
2013 36.41 917th 1403 34.6%
2014 50.91 691st 1390 50.3%
2015 35.34 997th 1440 30.8%
2016 63.35 508th 1425 64.4%
2017 52.79 704th 1429 50.7%
2018 37.37 967th 1434 32.6%
2019 28.81 1117th 1473 24.2%
2021 15.17 1307th 1489 12.2%
2022 45.93 814th 1514 46.2%
2023 53.98 693rd 1502 53.9%
2024 54.30 674th 1505 55.2%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 27.05 652nd 801 18.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.09 563rd 1332 57.7%
2019 43.07 832nd 1361 38.9%
2021 30.21 964th 1329 27.5%
2022 53.63 591st 1366 56.7%
2023 57.04 552nd 1437 61.6%
2024 65.14 396th 1450 72.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.17 738th 1405 47.5%
2019 37.95 939th 1424 34.1%
2021 21.90 1152nd 1440 20.0%
2022 52.99 669th 1458 54.1%
2023 66.16 450th 1459 69.2%
2024 58.21 574th 1455 60.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.29 743rd 897 17.2%
2019 24.23 764th 878 13.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.82 42nd 76 44.7%
2019 34.67 53rd 72 26.4%
2021 2.58 76th 76 0.0%
2023 47.82 46th 81 43.2%
2024 30.51 61st 75 18.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.80 1053rd 1413 25.5%
2019 23.20 1194th 1430 16.5%
2021 12.00 1324th 1444 8.3%
2022 38.42 927th 1464 36.7%
2023 40.47 909th 1461 37.8%
2024 48.12 782nd 1464 46.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.47 292nd 927 68.5%
2019 48.96 459th 949 51.6%
2021 28.39 676th 896 24.6%
2022 68.32 200th 927 78.4%
2023 68.52 222nd 933 76.2%
2024 68.10 209th 924 77.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Ponderosa Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.65 398th 851 53.2%
2019 48.05 442nd 865 48.9%
2021 48.21 385th 843 54.3%
2022 51.76 381st 893 57.3%
2023 78.95 115th 915 87.4%
2024 76.98 146th 951 84.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ponderosa Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Ponderosa Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 255 293 26 25 2 n/a n/a 0 601
1989 249 298 26 25 3 n/a n/a 0 601
1990 289 294 31 25 4 n/a n/a 0 643
1991 236 275 32 18 2 n/a n/a 0 563
1992 240 291 17 24 3 n/a n/a 0 575
1993 219 318 19 28 4 n/a n/a 0 588
1994 225 320 20 31 3 n/a n/a 0 599
1995 148 293 11 19 3 n/a n/a 0 474
1996 148 293 11 19 3 n/a n/a 0 474
1997 143 292 13 18 0 n/a n/a 0 466
1998 132 292 14 14 0 n/a n/a 0 452
1999 125 293 11 13 0 n/a n/a 0 442
2000 93 249 12 23 1 n/a n/a 0 378
2001 84 243 10 16 2 n/a n/a 0 355
2002 110 329 8 38 6 n/a n/a 0 491
2003 110 329 8 38 6 n/a n/a 0 491
2004 96 301 8 35 6 n/a n/a 0 446
2005 97 359 10 40 7 n/a n/a 0 513
2006 92 324 11 36 7 n/a n/a 0 470
2007 83 254 13 34 3 n/a n/a 41 428
2008 80 282 10 32 4 n/a n/a 39 447
2009 70 285 13 34 1 n/a n/a 0 403
2010 67 305 10 35 3 n/a n/a 0 420
2011 74 269 7 58 6 3 34 0 451
2012 66 270 10 52 8 0 30 0 436
2013 59 246 13 57 7 1 35 0 418
2014 56 212 11 53 9 2 35 0 378
2015 52 213 10 48 10 4 34 0 371
2016 48 210 5 56 9 4 36 0 368
2017 42 194 7 56 5 4 20 0 328
2018 46 211 20 66 4 4 21 0 372
2019 64 241 21 79 3 7 21 0 436
2020 50 244 21 58 1 8 29 0 411
2021 47 208 20 61 1 10 28 0 375
2022 40 207 19 76 5 7 28 0 382
2023 29 193 14 84 2 8 36 0 366
2024 24 218 14 86 2 6 41 0 391

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ponderosa Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 601 28.0 21.4 26
1989 601 30.0 20.0 26.3
1990 643 34.0 18.9 26.4
1991 563 32.0 17.5 30.2
1992 575 32.0 17.9 19.8
1993 588 30.0 19.6 26
1994 599 33.0 18.2 33.1
1995 474 33.0 14.4 47.3
1996 474 33.0 14.4 47.3
1997 466 31.0 15.0 44.4
1998 452 30.0 15.1 50
1999 442 36.0 12.3 71.3
2000 378 19.0 19.9 72.8
2001 355 21.0 16.9 65.4
2002 491 26.0 18.9 56.8
2003 491 26.0 18.9 56.8
2004 446 31.0 14.4 68.6
2005 513 34.0 15.1 64.7
2006 470 34.0 13.8 60.2
2007 428 n/a n/a 61.5
2008 447 28.5 15.7 n/a
2009 403 30.5 13.2 66.7
2010 420 30.4 13.8 65
2011 451 32.9 13.6 69.2
2012 436 34.5 12.6 70
2013 418 33.3 12.5 74.4
2014 378 33.5 11.2 80.7
2015 371 28.0 13.2 80.3
2016 368 28.0 13.1 96.2
2017 328 25.0 13.1 99.1
2018 372 26.0 14.3 99.2
2019 436 31.0 14.0 97.9
2020 411 31.0 13.2 99.3
2021 375 28.0 13.3 99.2
2022 382 31.0 12.3 99.2
2023 366 27.0 13.5 99.2
2024 391 29.0 13.4 99.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ponderosa Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 601 28.0 21.4 26
1989 601 30.0 20.0 26.3
1990 643 34.0 18.9 26.4
1991 563 32.0 17.5 30.2
1992 575 32.0 17.9 19.8
1993 588 30.0 19.6 26
1994 599 33.0 18.2 33.1
1995 474 33.0 14.4 47.3
1996 474 33.0 14.4 47.3
1997 466 31.0 15.0 44.4
1998 452 30.0 15.1 50
1999 442 36.0 12.3 71.3
2000 378 19.0 19.9 72.8
2001 355 21.0 16.9 65.4
2002 491 26.0 18.9 56.8
2003 491 26.0 18.9 56.8
2004 446 31.0 14.4 68.6
2005 513 34.0 15.1 64.7
2006 470 34.0 13.8 60.2
2007 428 n/a n/a 61.5
2008 447 28.5 15.7 n/a
2009 403 30.5 13.2 66.7
2010 420 30.4 13.8 65
2011 451 32.9 13.6 69.2
2012 436 34.5 12.6 70
2013 418 33.3 12.5 74.4
2014 378 33.5 11.2 80.7
2015 371 28.0 13.2 80.3
2016 368 28.0 13.1 96.2
2017 328 25.0 13.1 99.1
2018 372 26.0 14.3 99.2
2019 436 31.0 14.0 97.9
2020 411 31.0 13.2 99.3
2021 375 28.0 13.3 99.2
2022 382 31.0 12.3 99.2
2023 366 27.0 13.5 99.2
2024 391 29.0 13.4 99.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ponderosa Elementary

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,813 (19.5%) $7,495 (80.5%) $9,309

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ponderosa Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 1117th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 693rd of 1502 Elementary schools
 29.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ponderosa Elementary)43.874.1
 30.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Cumberland County Schools)58.955.5
 3.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Ponderosa Elementary)39.157.4
 18.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Cumberland County Schools)54.146.1
 8%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ponderosa Elementary)3848.1
 10.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Cumberland County Schools)49.449.2
 0.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Ponderosa Elementary)49.350
 0.7%
   4th Grade Reading (Cumberland County Schools)57.955.8
 2.1%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ponderosa Elementary)46.941.1
 5.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Cumberland County Schools)53.846.2
 7.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Ponderosa Elementary)40.650
 9.4%
   5th Grade Reading (Cumberland County Schools)53.944.9
 9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Ponderosa Elementary)81.369.6
 11.7%
   5th Grade Science (Cumberland County Schools)73.463.1
 10.3%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students436366
 16.1%
African American241193
 19.9%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian2114
 33.3%
Hispanic7984
 6.3%
Pacific Islander78
 14.3%
White6429
 54.7%
Two or More Races2136
 71.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients97.9%99.2%
 1.2%

Schools Near Ponderosa Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Ponderosa Elementary

In the 2023-24 school year, 391 students attended Ponderosa Elementary.

Ponderosa Elementary ranks 674th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Ponderosa Elementary are 56% African American, 22% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 6% White, 4% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander.

Students who attend Ponderosa Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Westover Middle
High : Westover High


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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