For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public elementary schools serving 6,600 students in Columbus County, NC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Columbus County, NC are Old Dock Elementary School, Central Middle School and Edgewood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Columbus County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Columbus County (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.
Central Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
310 S Martin L King Jr Ave
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3546
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3546
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
Edgewood Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
317 E Calhoun Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3121
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3121
Gr: 3-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #44.
North Whiteville Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
310 S Martin Luther King Jr Av
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Gr: 6-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
35 Bacon's Way
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4042
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4042
Gr: K-8 | 892 students Student-teacher ratio: 41:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
East Arcadia Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
21451 Nc Hwy 87 East
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 247-4609
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 247-4609
Gr: PK-5 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1414.
Thomas Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
206-b Rube Mccray Circle
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-2237
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-2237
Gr: 6-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
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%
Rank: n/an/a
805 Barbcrest Avenue
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-4119
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-4119
Gr: PK-2 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Columbus County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Flemington Dr
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-3088
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-3088
Gr: 6-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
801 W Smith Street
Chadbourn, NC 28431
(910) 654-4300
Chadbourn, NC 28431
(910) 654-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Fair Bluff Careertechnical Adademy (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
685 Academy St
Fair Bluff, NC 28439
(910) 642-5168
Fair Bluff, NC 28439
(910) 642-5168
Po Box 277
Fair Bluff, NC 28439
(910) 649-7622
Fair Bluff, NC 28439
(910) 649-7622
Gr: PK-8 | 144 students Minority enrollment: 93%
11570 Swamp Fox Hwy East
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-2723
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-2723
Gr: PK-5
Harlem Promise Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
Po Box 248
Hallsboro, NC 28442
(910) 646-4192
Hallsboro, NC 28442
(910) 646-4192
Gr: 5-8 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Nakina Alternative (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
9822 Seven Creeks Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-8301
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-8301
Gr: 6-10 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
44 Dream Ave
Delco, NC 28436
(910) 655-4061
Delco, NC 28436
(910) 655-4061
Gr: K-7 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
203 Stake Road
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3618
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3618
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
701 W Sixth Street
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3637
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3637
Gr: 6-8 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Columbus County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Columbus County, NC include Old Dock Elementary School, Central Middle School and Edgewood Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Columbus County?
17 public elementary schools are located in Columbus County.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus County?
Columbus County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Columbus County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Columbus County include: Whiteville Primary vs. Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville, Williams Township vs. Old Dock Elementary School, Central Middle School vs. Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville
Recent Articles
What Are Public Schools Doing to Fight Obesity and Is It Working?
Childhood obesity rates continue to climb. While many public schools have implemented policies and programs to combat the problem, there is always more to be done. Keep reading to learn what schools are doing to prevent obesity and how you can help.
Massachusetts: Boston Public Schools Offer Free Lunches
Kids in Boston Public Schools will enjoy free lunches this year, thanks to participation in a federal program that cuts out paperwork required to prove eligibility for the free lunch program.
Michigan Schools: Free Meals for All Students in Some Detroit Schools
Learn about a pilot program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would offer two free meals and snacks to all Detroit Public School students daily – a controversial decision for some taxpayers.
