Best Schools in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina
2 schools · 2 High
Choosing a school in Lake Waccamaw?
Use this page to compare every school in Lake Waccamaw by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Thomas Academy
High · Thomas Academy. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
East Columbus Junior-senior High
High · Columbus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
3.9
out of 10
Median Home
$266,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
3.9
out of 10
Median Home
$266,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lake Waccamaw
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 2). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Academy | 4.2 / 10 |
| 2 | East Columbus Junior-senior High | 3.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 3.9/10
- Median household income
- $74,917
- Median home value
- $266,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lake Waccamaw compares
Median household income
$75k
111% 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 3.9 out of 10, schools in Lake Waccamaw face significant challenges on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
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.
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 students · 6th–12th | 4.2 |
| 2 | 560 students · 7th–12th | 3.6 |
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.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- High
- 2
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently 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 3.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.