Top Rankings
Columbus County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 4,147 students in Columbus County Schools School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Columbus County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
14 Schools
2,174 Schools
# Students
6,057 Students
1,091,007 Students
# Teachers
400 Teachers
73,903 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Columbus County Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has increased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#230 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)42%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.72
% American Indian
3%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
12%
21%
% Black
29%
25%
% White
50%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,557 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,258 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$64 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$62 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,557
$11,187
Spending / Student
$10,258
$11,612
Best Columbus County Schools School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Old Dock Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12489 New Britton Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-2084
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-2084
Gr: PK-4 | 278 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #22.
Nakina Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9822 Seven Creeks Hwy
Nakina, NC 28455
(910) 642-8301
Nakina, NC 28455
(910) 642-8301
Gr: 5-8 | 207 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Chadbourn Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
409 E Third Avenue
Chadbourn, NC 28431
(910) 654-3825
Chadbourn, NC 28431
(910) 654-3825
Gr: K-5 | 199 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Acme Delco Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16337 Old Lake Road
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 655-2957
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 655-2957
Gr: PK-6 | 310 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Hallsboro-artesia Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1337 Giles Byrd Road
Hallsboro, NC 28442
(910) 646-3510
Hallsboro, NC 28442
(910) 646-3510
Gr: PK-6 | 376 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #66.
Williams Township
(Math: 46% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10400 James B White Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 653-3791
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 653-3791
Gr: PK-8 | 634 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Cerro Gordo Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7685 Andrew Jackson Hwy
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-4250
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-4250
Gr: PK-8 | 380 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7211 Old 74 Hwy
Evergreen, NC 28438
(910) 654-3502
Evergreen, NC 28438
(910) 654-3502
Gr: PK-8 | 353 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: n/an/a
203 Stake Road
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3618
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3618
Gr: PK-8 | 598 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: n/an/a
7685 Andrew Jackson Hwy Sw
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-4250
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-4250
Gr: PK-8 | 812 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.