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Needs Improvement

#2407 of 2,648 schools in NC

James Kenan High

High School · Duplin County Schools

1241 NC 24 & 50, Warsaw, NC 28398

Enrollment

775

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,407 of 2,648

In Warsaw

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#10 of 13

Duplin County Schools

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James Kenan High

3.8/10

High School in Warsaw · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Warsaw Elementary

5.1/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Duplin Early College High

7.1/10

4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Kenan High

James Kenan High is a public high school in Warsaw, NC, part of Duplin County Schools. James Kenan High serves approximately 775 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. James Kenan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,407 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for James Kenan High show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

James Kenan 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-16.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness3.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation2.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,214
Chronic Absenteeism28.5%

James Kenan High — Students at James Kenan High score 30% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 36.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
27.3%
ELA
32.1%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How James Kenan High Compares

See how James Kenan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
9th percentile in NC
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1241 NC 24 & 50, Warsaw, NC 28398

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Kenan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Duplin Early College High (rated 7.1/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Kenansville), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Duplin Jr Sr High (rated 6.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mt. Olive), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Duplin High (rated 6.3/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Beulaville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Warsaw, see our Warsaw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Warsaw Elementary Warsaw 2.1 mi 5.1
Duplin Early College High Kenansville 4.5 mi 7.1
Kenansville Elementary Kenansville 5.1 mi 5.7
Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary Rose Hill 9.4 mi 3.2
North Duplin Jr Sr High Mt. Olive 10.6 mi 6.4
North Duplin Elementary Mt. Olive 10.7 mi 6.0
Carver Elementary Mount Olive 14.9 mi 7.2
Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey 14.9 mi 3.4
Mount Olive Middle Mount Olive 15.1 mi 4.0
Hargrove Elementary Faison 13.3 mi 7.0
B F Grady Elementary Albertson 13.1 mi 5.3
ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace 16.6 mi
Union Middle Clinton 14.5 mi 5.3
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace 17.4 mi 6.5
Union Elementary Clinton 15.8 mi 5.4
Wallace Elementary Wallace 17.7 mi 2.6
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clinton 14.7 mi 7.1
Union High Rose Hill 16.4 mi 6.1
East Duplin High Beulaville 15.0 mi 6.3
Southern Wayne High Dudley 18.6 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28398 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,167

Median Home Value

$86,000

Median Rent

$833/mo

Population

6,084

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

55.1%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
West Iredell High Statesville, NC 3.8
North Gaston High Dallas, NC 3.7
Southwest High Jacksonville, NC 3.7
West Caldwell High Lenoir, NC 3.7
West Craven High Vanceboro, NC 3.9
East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw, NC 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Kenan High

What grades does James Kenan High serve?

James Kenan High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James Kenan High?

James Kenan High has an enrollment of approximately 775 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Kenan High?

The student-teacher ratio at James Kenan High is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Kenan High rank in NC?

James Kenan High ranks #2,407 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is James Kenan High's MySchoolScout rating?

James Kenan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 James Kenan High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Kenan High has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is James Kenan High a charter school?

No, James Kenan High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James Kenan High a Title I school?

No, James Kenan High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Kenan High?

99.6% of students at James Kenan 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
775
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Duplin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.5%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

Duplin County Schools
District Enrollment
9,835
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,214
District Rank
#10 of 13

How we rate schools

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