Needs Improvement
#2454 of 2,648 schools in NC
East Columbus Junior-senior High
High School · Columbus County Schools
PO Box 401, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,454 of 2,648
In Lake Waccamaw
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#11 of 11
Columbus County Schools
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East Columbus Junior-senior High
High School in Lake Waccamaw · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thomas Academy
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hallsboro-artesia Elementary
4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About East Columbus Junior-senior High
East Columbus Junior-senior High is a public high school in Lake Waccamaw, NC, part of Columbus County Schools. East Columbus Junior-senior High serves approximately 560 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. East Columbus Junior-senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,454 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for East Columbus Junior-senior High show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
East Columbus Junior-senior High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
52% of students at East Columbus Junior-senior High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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East Columbus Junior-senior High — Students at East Columbus Junior-senior High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.7/10.
How East Columbus Junior-senior High Compares
See how East Columbus Junior-senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 401, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Columbus Junior-senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Bladen High (rated 8.8/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Elizabethtown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbus Career and College Academy (rated 7.8/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whiteville High (rated 5.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Waccamaw, see our Lake Waccamaw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Academy Lake Waccamaw | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro | 4.7 mi | 7.4 |
| East Arcadia Elementary Riegelwood | 10.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Old Dock Elementary Whiteville | 13.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 11.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 11.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 11.9 mi | 7.0 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 11.9 mi | — |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 12.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton | 13.9 mi | 5.7 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 13.4 mi | — |
| East Bladen High Elizabethtown | 16.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood | 14.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Waccamaw Ash | 18.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Emereau: Bladen Elizabethtown | 18.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Nakina Middle Nakina | 18.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville | 16.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 16.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Williams Township Whiteville | 17.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Elizabethtown Middle Elizabethtown | 20.3 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,917
Median Home Value
$266,800
Median Rent
$983/mo
Population
2,256
College Educated
32.1%
Homeownership
83.8%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
48.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| J. F. Webb High Oxford, NC | 3.5 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville, NC | 3.7 |
| West Caldwell High Lenoir, NC | 3.7 |
| James Kenan High Warsaw, NC | 3.8 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City, NC | 3.4 |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey, NC | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Columbus Junior-senior High
What grades does East Columbus Junior-senior High serve?
East Columbus Junior-senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend East Columbus Junior-senior High?
East Columbus Junior-senior High has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Columbus Junior-senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at East Columbus Junior-senior High is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Columbus Junior-senior High rank in NC?
East Columbus Junior-senior High ranks #2,454 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Columbus Junior-senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
East Columbus Junior-senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at East Columbus Junior-senior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, East Columbus Junior-senior High has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is East Columbus Junior-senior High a charter school?
No, East Columbus Junior-senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Columbus Junior-senior High a Title I school?
No, East Columbus Junior-senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Columbus Junior-senior High?
99.5% of students at East Columbus Junior-senior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 560
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbus County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.3%
- Phone
- (910) 646-4094
- 4-Year Graduation
- 77.0%
Resources & Links
District
Columbus County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,360
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,006
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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