Average
#1964 of 2,648 schools in NC
Lakewood High
High School · Sampson County Schools
245 Lakewood School Rd, Salemburg, NC 28385
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salemburg
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#289 of 579
In district
#9 of 18
Sampson County Schools
About Lakewood High
Lakewood High serves 481 students in grades 9-12 in rural Salemburg, North Carolina, earning a solid 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks in the 79th percentile statewide, placing 554th among North Carolina's 2,661 schools, which reflects strong academic performance for a rural institution. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers, Lakewood High maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, allowing for reasonably personalized attention.
Academic achievement shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 58% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Math performance at 47% proficiency indicates room for growth, though this aligns with common challenges many schools face in mathematics instruction. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $69,240 and median home values sit at $120,600.
While only 15% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the rural character of the area, the poverty rate of 14.2% is relatively manageable for a small community. Lakewood High's rural setting on Lakewood School Rd provides students with a close-knit educational environment where they can build strong relationships with teachers and classmates while preparing for their post-secondary futures in the heart of Sampson County's agricultural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Lakewood High 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
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Lakewood High — Students at Lakewood High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How Lakewood High Compares
See how Lakewood High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 57.6% (2025).
Location
245 Lakewood School Rd, Salemburg, NC 28385
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lakewood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sampson Early College High (rated 6.4/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Midway High (rated 4.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Newton Grove), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Clinton High (rated 3.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Clinton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salemburg, see our Salemburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salemburg Elementary Salemburg | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| THE POINT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Salemburg | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Roseboro-Salemburg Middle Roseboro | 2.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Roseboro Elementary Roseboro | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| MINTZ CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roseboro | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Beaver Dam Elementary Roseboro | 8.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Sampson Early College High Clinton | 8.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Clement Elementary Autryville | 9.3 mi | 5.7 |
| SPIRIT OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clinton | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Sampson Middle Clinton | 9.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Sunset Avenue Elementary Clinton | 9.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Clinton High Clinton | 9.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Midway Middle Dunn | 12.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Langdon C Kerr Elementary Clinton | 10.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton | 10.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Midway Elementary Dunn | 12.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Midway High Newton Grove | 12.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Stedman Primary Stedman | 10.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Stedman Elementary Stedman | 11.1 mi | 8.4 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clinton | 11.4 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28385 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,500
Median Home Value
$129,400
Median Rent
$546/mo
Population
2,492
College Educated
12.4%
Homeownership
87.1%
Avg Commute
37.2 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lakewood High has a median household income of $72,500. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,400, with a median rent of $546/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford, NC | 5.4 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson, NC | 5.4 |
| J F Kennedy High Winston-Salem, NC | 5.4 |
| Rosewood High Goldsboro, NC | 5.4 |
| East Surry High Pilot Mountain, NC | 5.5 |
| Northside High Pinetown, NC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lakewood High
What grades does Lakewood High serve?
Lakewood High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lakewood High?
Lakewood High has an enrollment of approximately 481 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakewood High?
The student-teacher ratio at Lakewood High is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lakewood High rank in NC?
Lakewood High is ranked #1964 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lakewood High's MySchoolScout rating?
Lakewood High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Lakewood High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lakewood High has 43.8% math proficiency and 45.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lakewood High a charter school?
No, Lakewood High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lakewood High a Title I school?
No, Lakewood High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lakewood High?
99.4% of students at Lakewood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,360/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 481
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Sampson County
- Phone
- (910) 525-5171
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sampson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,086
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,239
- District Rank
- #9 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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