Top Rankings
Columbus County Schools 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 2026 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 1,913 students in Columbus County Schools. This district's average high testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Columbus County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Columbus County School have a Graduation Rate of 86%, which is equal to the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is East Columbus Junior-senior High School, with 85-89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
12 Schools
758 Schools
# Students
5,419 Students
568,636 Students
# Teachers
347 Teachers
31,535 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Columbus County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 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%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)38.6%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.71
% American Indian
4%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
13%
21%
% Black
27%
25%
% White
50%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,800 is higher than the state median of $11,176. The school district revenue/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,466 is less than the state median of $11,601. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$64 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$62 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,800
$11,176
Spending / Student
$11,466
$11,601
Best Columbus County Schools Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbus Career And College Academy
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4564 Chadbourn Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 788-6281
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 788-6281
Gr: 9-13 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
West Columbus High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7294 Andrew Jackson Hwy Sw
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-6111
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-6111
Gr: 9-12 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #33.
South Columbus High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
40 Stallion Drive
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-4073
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-4073
Gr: 9-12 | 669 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #44.
East Columbus Junior-senior High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
32 Gator Lane
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-4094
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-4094
Gr: 7-12 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Recent Articles
How to Evaluate School Safety Beyond Headlines
Learn how to evaluate school safety beyond headlines by examining reliable data, school climate, emergency planning, bullying prevention, communication, student experiences, and everyday security practices before choosing a school.
Choosing a Public School for Executive Function Needs
Learn how to choose a public school for a child with executive function challenges by evaluating routines, classroom support, organization, accommodations, communication, transitions, and special education services before enrollment.
What School Climate Surveys Tell You Before Enrolling
Learn how school climate surveys reveal student safety, belonging, relationships, engagement, and support, and how families can interpret results carefully before choosing a public school for their child today.
