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Average

#240 of 404 private schools in NC

Lawrence Academy

School

148 AVOCA FARM RD, Merry Hill, NC 27957

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

215

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#144 of 238

About Lawrence Academy

Lawrence Academy serves 215 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Merry Hill, a rural community in Bertie County, North Carolina. This regular public school maintains an exceptional 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #37 out of 404 schools statewide and placing in the 91st percentile across North Carolina.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, Lawrence Academy demonstrates strong educational performance that sets it apart from many schools in the region. The comprehensive grade structure, spanning from early childhood through high school graduation, provides families with educational continuity in one location. Students benefit from the intimate school environment where teachers can closely monitor individual progress and provide targeted support throughout their academic journey.

The small enrollment creates a close-knit school community where students often develop lasting friendships across grade levels and participate in multiple activities. The favorable student-teacher ratio ensures that each child receives individualized attention, which can be particularly beneficial for both struggling learners and high achievers. Lawrence Academy is situated on Avoca Farm Road in the peaceful rural setting of Merry Hill, offering students a focused learning environment away from urban distractions while maintaining strong academic standards.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Lawrence Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Lawrence Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Lawrence Academy 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

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 2.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 6%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 215
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 96.7%
Black 1.4%
Hispanic 1.4%
Asian 0.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

148 AVOCA FARM RD, Merry Hill, NC 27957

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lawrence Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. AHOSKIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Ahoskie), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BETHEL ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.2/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Windsor), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Merry Hill, see our Merry Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington County High Plymouth 9.8 mi 6.1
Windsor Elementary Windsor 8.7 mi 8.0
John A Holmes High Edenton 9.9 mi 4.7
Colerain Elementary Colerain 13.1 mi 7.7
White Oak Elementary Edenton 12.4 mi 7.9
D F Walker Elementary Edenton 12.5 mi 5.5
Bertie Middle Windsor 11.3 mi 7.7
BETHEL ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Windsor 12.0 mi 5.2
Bertie High Windsor 11.5 mi 4.5
Bertie Early College High Windsor 11.7 mi 7.6
Washington County Middle Roper 13.1 mi 3.6
Pines Elementary Roper 13.1 mi 7.6
CHOWAN MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE SCHOOL Edenton 12.3 mi
NERSBA Early College Jamesville 15.6 mi 5.8
Jamesville Elementary Jamesville 15.7 mi 8.9
Chowan Middle Tyner 16.6 mi 6.2
E J Hayes Elementary Williamston 19.9 mi 6.5
AHOSKIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ahoskie 21.9 mi 5.3
Hertford Grammar Hertford 20.4 mi 8.0
Perquimans County High Hertford 20.3 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27957 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,279

Median Home Value

$115,300

Median Rent

$834/mo

Population

1,017

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

76.1%

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

63.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lawrence Academy has a median household income of $37,279. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,300, with a median rent of $834/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ASHEBORO HYBRID ACADEMY Asheboro, NC 5.9
COMMUNITY BAPTIST SCHOOL Reidsville, NC 5.9
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson, NC 5.9
Cleveland Innovation Shelby, NC 5.9
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville, NC 5.9
NORTHEAST ACADEMY Lasker, NC 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lawrence Academy

What grades does Lawrence Academy serve?

Lawrence Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Lawrence Academy?

Lawrence Academy has an enrollment of approximately 215 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Lawrence Academy is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Lawrence Academy rank in NC?

Lawrence Academy is ranked #240 out of 404 private schools in NC.

What is Lawrence Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawrence Academy has a composite rating of 6.0 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.

Is Lawrence Academy a private school?

Yes, Lawrence Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Lawrence Academy a religious school?

No, Lawrence Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
215
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
BERTIE
Data Year
2022–2023

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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