Below Average
#2296 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Columbus High
High School · Columbus County Schools
40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City, NC 28463
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,296 of 2,648
In district
#9 of 11
Columbus County Schools
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South Columbus High
High School in Tabor City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Williams Township
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grace Christian School
6.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Columbus High
South Columbus High is a public high school in Tabor City, NC, part of Columbus County Schools. South Columbus High serves approximately 689 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Columbus High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,296 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for South Columbus High show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 4.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
South Columbus 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.
39% of students at South Columbus High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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South Columbus High — Students at South Columbus High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.8/10.
How South Columbus High Compares
See how South Columbus High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City, NC 28463
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Columbus High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Columbus Career and College Academy (rated 7.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Sea Floyds High (rated 6.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Green Sea), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Loris High (rated 6.5/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Loris), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tabor City, see our Tabor City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Williams Township Whiteville | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Loris | 6.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Loris Elementary Loris | 8.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Loris High Loris | 9.5 mi | 6.5 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 9.6 mi | — |
| Loris Middle Loris | 10.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn | 10.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Nakina Middle Nakina | 10.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 12.2 mi | 7.0 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 12.2 mi | — |
| Daisy Elementary Loris | 12.7 mi | 6.2 |
| West Columbus High Cerro Gordo | 12.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 12.7 mi | 5.8 |
| West Columbus School Cerro Gordo | 12.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 12.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 12.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Green Sea Floyds High Green Sea | 11.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Green Sea Floyds Elementary Green Sea | 12.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Old Dock Elementary Whiteville | 12.6 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28463 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,671
Median Home Value
$120,000
Median Rent
$673/mo
Population
7,023
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
33.7 min
Poverty Rate
23%
Median Age
45.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| John M Morehead High Eden, NC | 4.2 |
| SouthWest Edgecombe High Pinetops, NC | 4.2 |
| Starmount High Boonville, NC | 4.2 |
| Bethany Community School Summerfield, NC | 4.3 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly, NC | 4.3 |
| Granville Central High Stem, NC | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Columbus High
What grades does South Columbus High serve?
South Columbus High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Columbus High?
South Columbus High has an enrollment of approximately 689 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Columbus High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Columbus High is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Columbus High rank in NC?
South Columbus High ranks #2,296 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Columbus High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Columbus High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 South Columbus High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Columbus High has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Columbus High a charter school?
No, South Columbus High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Columbus High a Title I school?
No, South Columbus High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Columbus High?
99.4% of students at South Columbus 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 689
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbus County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.0%
- Phone
- (910) 653-4073
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
Resources & Links
District
Columbus County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,360
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,006
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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