Columbus County Schools School District
School District · Whiteville, North Carolina
Avg Rating
5.6
out of 10
Schools
11
6 elem, 1 mid, 4 high
Enrollment
5,360
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Avg Rating
5.6
out of 10
Schools
11
6 elem, 1 mid, 4 high
Enrollment
5,360
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
How this district compares
North Carolina rank
#101 of 116
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.6
below North Carolina avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,006
+$894 vs North Carolina median
District size
5,360 students
Typical than North Carolina median
The short answer
Columbus County Schools ranks #101 of 116 North Carolina districts by overall school rating. Columbus County Schools's schools with real test data average 5.6/10 across 11 schools. Its top-rated schools are Columbus Career and College Academy (7.8/10), Old Dock Elementary (6.8/10), and Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary (6.7/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
STAAR proficiency rose +6.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Columbus County Schools schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Columbus County Schools
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (11 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus Career and College Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Old Dock Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Chadbourn Elementary | 6.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Williams Township | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | West Columbus School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Nakina Middle | 5.4 / 10 |
| 8 | South Columbus High | 5.2 / 10 |
| 9 | West Columbus High | 4.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Acme Delco Elementary | 4.2 / 10 |
See all 11 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Columbus County Schools
Columbus County Schools is a Whiteville, North Carolina school district serving 11 schools.The district educates 5,360 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. District-level spending was $14,006 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 5.6/10, Columbus County Schools demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Columbus Career and College Academy, which has a composite score of 7.8/10.
In standardized testing, Columbus County Schools students show an average math proficiency of 45.5% and ELA proficiency of 46.0%.
The district includes 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Columbus County Schools, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Columbus County Schools with test data.
Schools in Columbus County Schools
11 schoolsElementary Schools6
Middle Schools1
District Details
- State
- North Carolina
- City
- Whiteville
- Total Enrollment
- 5,360
- Teachers (FTE)
- 354
- District spending per student
- $14,006NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 24.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Columbus County Schools?
Columbus County Schools has 11 schools in total — 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Columbus County Schools?
The average composite rating for Columbus County Schools is 5.6/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Columbus County Schools?
Columbus County Schools's district-level spending was $14,006 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbus County Schools?
The average student-teacher ratio in Columbus County Schools is 15.1:1.
What is the top-rated school in Columbus County Schools?
Columbus Career and College Academy is the highest-rated school in Columbus County Schools with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What are the test scores in Columbus County Schools?
Across schools in Columbus County Schools with test data, the average math proficiency is 45.5% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 46.0%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Columbus County Schools compare to other districts in North Carolina?
Columbus County Schools has an average school rating of 5.6/10 across 11 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in North Carolina by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.6/10
- Math Proficiency
- 45.5%
- ELA Proficiency
- 46.0%
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 rateOther School Districts in NC
Compare Columbus County Schools with neighboring districts in the state.
- Wake County Schools (197)
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (184)
- Guilford County Schools (124)
- Cumberland County Schools (86)
- Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools (81)
- Durham Public Schools (56)
- Gaston County Schools (56)
- Union County Public Schools (52)
- Johnston County Public Schools (48)
- Buncombe County Schools (45)
- Cabarrus County Schools (44)
- New Hanover County Schools (42)
- Pitt County Schools (40)
- Onslow County Schools (39)
- Alamance-Burlington Schools (38)
- Iredell-Statesville Schools (38)
- Public Schools of Robeson County (37)
- Davidson County Schools (35)
- Wayne County Public Schools (33)
- Randolph County School System (32)
- Rowan-Salisbury Schools (32)
- Harnett County Schools (29)
- Catawba County Schools (28)
- Cleveland County Schools (28)
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.
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