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#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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.6%
Math vs. State Avg-38.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,503

Lakewood High — Students at Lakewood High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 45.5%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 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
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
17.3%
ELA
57.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sampson County Schools
District Enrollment
8,086
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,239
District Rank
#9 of 18

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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