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#2049 of 2,648 schools in NC

East Arcadia Elementary

Elementary School · Bladen County Schools

21451 NC Hwy 87 East, Riegelwood, NC 28456

Enrollment

75

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Riegelwood

#2 of 2

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,294 of 1,474

In district

#8 of 12

Bladen County Schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About East Arcadia Elementary

East Arcadia Elementary is a small public elementary school located in Riegelwood, North Carolina. Serving preschool through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 75 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is rural, offering a close-knit community feel where each child receives personalized attention.

While East Arcadia Elementary currently ranks in the lower half of North Carolina schools according to MySchoolScout’s rating system and state rankings, it focuses on fostering an environment that supports student development and growth. With 22% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 20% proficiency in Math across all grades, the school is committed to improving academic outcomes for its students. East Arcadia Elementary stands as a vital part of the Riegelwood community, providing a nurturing educational experience for young learners in a rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 75 students, East Arcadia Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, East Arcadia Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-36.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-19.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,797

East Arcadia Elementary — Students at East Arcadia Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.2%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 21.6%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
25.3%
ELA
22.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How East Arcadia Elementary Compares

See how East Arcadia Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in NC
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

21451 NC Hwy 87 East, Riegelwood, NC 28456

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Arcadia Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Old Dock Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is ELIZABETHTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Elizabethtown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Acme Delco Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 7.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Riegelwood, see our Riegelwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood 7.1 mi 7.3
East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw 10.8 mi 3.7
Thomas Academy Lake Waccamaw 12.5 mi 4.2
Classical Charter Schools of Leland Leland 15.0 mi 5.5
East Bladen High Elizabethtown 15.4 mi 4.7
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro 15.5 mi 7.0
West Pender Middle Burgaw 15.5 mi 5.6
Emereau: Bladen Elizabethtown 18.1 mi 7.0
Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw 17.4 mi 6.2
Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton 18.4 mi 6.3
Elizabethtown Primary Elizabethtown 20.4 mi 6.2
Elizabethtown Middle Elizabethtown 20.5 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elementary Leland 20.3 mi 7.0
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrells 22.8 mi 5.9
Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Elizabethtown 21.0 mi 8.6
Pender High Burgaw 20.7 mi 2.5
ELIZABETHTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elizabethtown 21.9 mi 7.5
Leland Middle Leland 21.7 mi 6.1
PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point 20.6 mi 5.8
Old Dock Elementary Whiteville 22.8 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28456 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,164

Median Home Value

$153,600

Median Rent

$841/mo

Population

3,565

College Educated

12.5%

Homeownership

83.6%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

48.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Arcadia Elementary has a median household income of $48,164. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,600, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
The Virtual Academy at Randolph Asheboro, NC 5.2
GREENVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Winterville, NC 5.3
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage, NC 5.1
Mount Vernon Raleigh, NC 5.1
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington, NC 5.4
MILLS RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Mills River, NC 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Arcadia Elementary

What grades does East Arcadia Elementary serve?

East Arcadia Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend East Arcadia Elementary?

East Arcadia Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Arcadia Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at East Arcadia Elementary is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Arcadia Elementary rank in NC?

East Arcadia Elementary is ranked #2049 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is East Arcadia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

East Arcadia Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at East Arcadia Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Arcadia Elementary has 20.2% math proficiency and 21.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Arcadia Elementary a charter school?

No, East Arcadia Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is East Arcadia Elementary a Title I school?

No, East Arcadia Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Arcadia Elementary?

96.0% of students at East Arcadia Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,156/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Bladen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bladen County Schools
District Enrollment
3,843
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,306
District Rank
#8 of 12

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

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