Shaw Academy

Shaw Academy, situated in Laurinburg, North Carolina, is an alternative high school catering to students from sixth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 120 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, Shaw Academy offers personalized attention to help students thrive. The school has seven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse community.

Located in a rural setting on Old Wire Road, the academy focuses on providing an educational environment that is conducive to growth and development for each student. While Shaw Academy currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks at #2540 among North Carolina schools (in the 5th percentile), the school remains committed to fostering a supportive learning atmosphere where students can find their footing academically and personally. With only 17% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 8% in Math, there is room for improvement in academic performance.

Shaw Academy’s rural setting provides a peaceful backdrop that encourages a strong sense of community among its student body.

With an enrollment of 120 students, Shaw Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Shaw Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Shaw 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.