Skip to main content

Below Average

#2071 of 2,648 schools in NC

Tar Heel School

Elementary School · Bladen County Schools

PO Box 128, Tar Heel, NC 28392

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,071 of 2,648

In district

#9 of 12

Bladen County Schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Tar Heel School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Tar Heel School

4.8/10

Elementary School in Tar Heel · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dublin Primary

5.4/10

7.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

West Bladen High

7.0/10

7.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Tar Heel School

Tar Heel School is a public elementary school in Tar Heel, NC, part of Bladen County Schools. Tar Heel School serves approximately 255 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Tar Heel School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,071 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Tar Heel School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Tar Heel School 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,306
Chronic Absenteeism24.7%

Tar Heel School — Students at Tar Heel School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 35.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
70%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
13%
ELA
29%
2013
Math
16%
ELA
28%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
28.1%
ELA
29.7%
2025
Math
41.9%
ELA
32.9%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Tar Heel School Compares

See how Tar Heel School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
22th percentile in NC
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 128, Tar Heel, NC 28392

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tar Heel School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Robeson Primary (rated 8.5/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Lumberton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southeastern Academy (rated 8.4/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Lumberton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gray's Creek Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Hope Mills), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tar Heel, see our Tar Heel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Dublin Primary Dublin 7.0 mi 5.4
West Bladen High Bladenboro 7.3 mi 7.0
Bladen Early College Dublin 7.2 mi 6.5
Southeastern Academy Lumberton 7.4 mi 8.4
Littlefield Middle Lumberton 9.4 mi 5.6
Gray's Creek Elementary Hope Mills 11.4 mi 8.4
East Robeson Primary Lumberton 10.6 mi 8.5
Alderman Road Elementary Fayetteville 11.6 mi 6.5
Saint Pauls Elementary Saint Pauls 10.7 mi 5.0
Gray's Creek Middle Hope Mills 12.2 mi 4.6
Saint Pauls Middle Saint Pauls 11.6 mi 3.0
ELIZABETHTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elizabethtown 11.9 mi 7.6
Saint Pauls High Saint Pauls 11.7 mi 5.5
Bladen Lakes Primary Elizabethtown 11.5 mi 5.1
ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lumberton 13.1 mi 6.5
Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro 14.2 mi 4.5
Bladenboro Primary Bladenboro 14.3 mi 5.6
Magnolia Elementary Lumberton 12.0 mi 6.3
Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Elizabethtown 12.8 mi 8.5
Gray's Creek High Hope Mills 14.3 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28392 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,019

Median Home Value

$107,800

Median Rent

$742/mo

Population

1,564

College Educated

18.8%

Homeownership

72.7%

Poverty Rate

26.6%

Median Age

51

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Achievement Charter Academy Fuquay-Varina, NC 4.8
Ashley Park PreK-8 School Charlotte, NC 4.8
Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC 4.8
Courtney Elementary Yadkinville, NC 4.8
District No 7 Elementary Wade, NC 4.8
Falkland Elementary Greenville, NC 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tar Heel School

What grades does Tar Heel School serve?

Tar Heel School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Tar Heel School?

Tar Heel School has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tar Heel School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tar Heel School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tar Heel School rank in NC?

Tar Heel School ranks #2,071 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Tar Heel School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tar Heel School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Tar Heel School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tar Heel School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Tar Heel School a charter school?

No, Tar Heel School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Tar Heel School a Title I school?

No, Tar Heel School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tar Heel School?

98.8% of students at Tar Heel School 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

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Bladen County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.7%

District

Bladen County Schools
District Enrollment
3,843
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,306
District Rank
#9 of 12

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.