4.0 avg / 10

Best Schools in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina

2 schools · 2 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 2

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 4.0/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 4.0/10
Median household income: $74,917
Median home value: $266,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 32%
Avg commute: 30 min
Owner-occupied homes: 84%

How Lake Waccamaw compares

Median household income

$75k

110% of North Carolina median

About Schools in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina

Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 2 high schools.

With an average rating of 4.0 out of 10, schools in Lake Waccamaw face significant challenges on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Lake Waccamaw is Thomas Academy with a composite score of 4.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Lake Waccamaw is served by 2 school districts: Thomas Academy, Columbus County Schools. These districts collectively serve 5,430 students.

Lake Waccamaw's community shows 32% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,917. The poverty rate in the area is 10.0%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (2) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (2) Public (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (2) Academics (2) Growth (2) Diversity (2) Resources (2)

Filter by ZIP: 28450 (2)

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Thomas Academy 70 students · 6th–12th	70	6th–12th	4.2
2	East Columbus Junior-Senior High 560 students · 7th–12th	560	7th–12th	3.7

Schools in Lake Waccamaw

Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina · 2 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$74,917

Median Home Value

$266,800

Median Rent

$983/mo

Population

2,256

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

84%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

10.0%

Community Profile

Lake Waccamaw has a median household income of $74,917. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,800, with a median rent of $983/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: North Carolina
Total Schools: 2
High: 2
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 4.0/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Lake Waccamaw schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Lake Waccamaw 📊 Niche Lake Waccamaw Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Thomas Academy

1 school · 70 students

Columbus County Schools

12 schools · 5,360 students

Nearby Cities

Hallsboro (1 school)

4 mi

Whiteville (10 schools)

12 mi

Clarkton (1 school)

14 mi

Riegelwood (2 schools)

Elizabethtown (7 schools)

21 mi

Ash (2 schools)

22 mi

Tabor City (1 school)

20 mi

Bladenboro (3 schools)

22 mi

Shallotte (3 schools)

25 mi

Ocean Isle Beach (1 school)

Cerro Gordo (2 schools)

24 mi

Other Major Cities in North Carolina

Top metros statewide by school count.

Charlotte 225 schools Raleigh 138 schools Greensboro 95 schools Durham 94 schools Fayetteville 85 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina

How many schools are in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

Lake Waccamaw has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lake Waccamaw is 4.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

The top-ranked school in Lake Waccamaw on MySchoolScout is Thomas Academy with a composite score of 4.2/10.

What is the best high school in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

The top-ranked high school in Lake Waccamaw on MySchoolScout is Thomas Academy with a composite score of 4.2/10.

How many school districts serve Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

Lake Waccamaw is served by 2 school districts: Thomas Academy, Columbus County Schools.

What is the education level in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

According to Census data, 32% of adults in Lake Waccamaw have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

The median household income in Lake Waccamaw is approximately $74,917 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lake Waccamaw is 19.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.