For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 4,308 students in Columbus County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Columbus County, NC are Old Dock Elementary School, Chadbourn Elementary School and Acme Delco Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbus County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Columbus County (2026)
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 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
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: PK-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #55.
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 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
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: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
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 | 814 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
805 Barbcrest Avenue
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-4119
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-4119
Gr: PK-2 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Columbus County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
26133 Andrew Jackson Hwy
Delco, NC 28436
(910) 655-3200
Delco, NC 28436
(910) 655-3200
Gr: 6-8
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 preschools in Columbus County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Columbus County, NC include Old Dock Elementary School, Chadbourn Elementary School and Acme Delco Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbus County?
10 public preschools are located in Columbus County.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus County?
Columbus County public preschools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Columbus County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Columbus County include: Old Dock Elementary School vs. Williams Township, Williams Township vs. Old Dock Elementary School
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