Below Average
#2300 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
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina high schools
#408 of 579
In district
#9 of 11
Columbus County Schools
About South Columbus High
South Columbus High is a regular public high school located in Tabor City, North Carolina, within the rural setting of Columbus County. With an enrollment of 689 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, South Columbus High offers a supportive learning environment with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance data suggests there is room for improvement, as the school ranks at the 12th percentile among North Carolina schools, scoring 3.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system and 2.8 out of 10 in academic scores.
In terms of proficiency, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% meet the same standard in Math. South Columbus High is situated in a rural area where community ties are strong and supportive of student development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Columbus 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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South Columbus High — Students at South Columbus High score 39% 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: 4.5/10.
How South Columbus High Compares
See how South Columbus High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 45.3% (2025).
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 7.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Green Sea), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Loris High (rated 6.7/10, 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 | 6.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Loris | 6.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Loris Elementary Loris | 8.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Loris High Loris | 9.5 mi | 6.7 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 9.6 mi | — |
| Loris Middle Loris | 10.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn | 10.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Nakina Middle Nakina | 10.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 12.2 mi | 6.3 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 12.2 mi | — |
| Daisy Elementary Loris | 12.7 mi | 5.5 |
| West Columbus High Cerro Gordo | 12.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 12.7 mi | 3.7 |
| West Columbus School Cerro Gordo | 12.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 12.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 12.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Green Sea Floyds High Green Sea | 11.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Sea Floyds Elementary Green Sea | 12.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Old Dock Elementary Whiteville | 12.6 mi | 9.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Columbus High has a median household income of $38,671. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,000, with a median rent of $673/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bertie High Windsor, NC | 4.5 |
| Farmville Central High Farmville, NC | 4.5 |
| Ledford Senior High Thomasville, NC | 4.5 |
| Lexington Senior High School Lexington, NC | 4.5 |
| Lincolnton High Lincolnton, NC | 4.5 |
| Maiden High Maiden, NC | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #2300 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Columbus High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Columbus High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 South Columbus High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Columbus High has 37.1% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,870/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tabor City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 653-4073
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbus County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,360
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,006
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
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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