Average
#1644 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
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,129 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 12
Bladen County Schools
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Tar Heel School
Tar Heel School is a public elementary school located in the rural community of Tar Heel, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 255 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Tar Heel School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2135 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina.
Test scores indicate that 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to supporting its students and providing a nurturing learning environment. Tar Heel School sits in a rural setting, surrounded by the natural beauty and close-knit community of Tar Heel, North Carolina.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Tar Heel School 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, Tar Heel School 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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Tar Heel School — Students at Tar Heel School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Tar Heel School Compares
See how Tar Heel School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 39.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 32.2% (2025).
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. Gray's Creek Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Hope Mills), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alderman Road Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Fayetteville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Robeson Primary (rated 8.0/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Lumberton), 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 | 7.6 |
| West Bladen High Bladenboro | 7.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Bladen Early College Dublin | 7.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Southeastern Academy Lumberton | 7.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Littlefield Middle Lumberton | 9.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Gray's Creek Elementary Hope Mills | 11.4 mi | 9.0 |
| East Robeson Primary Lumberton | 10.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Alderman Road Elementary Fayetteville | 11.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Saint Pauls Elementary Saint Pauls | 10.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Gray's Creek Middle Hope Mills | 12.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Saint Pauls Middle Saint Pauls | 11.6 mi | 3.2 |
| ELIZABETHTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elizabethtown | 11.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Saint Pauls High Saint Pauls | 11.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Bladen Lakes Primary Elizabethtown | 11.5 mi | 6.6 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lumberton | 13.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro | 14.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Bladenboro Primary Bladenboro | 14.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Magnolia Elementary Lumberton | 12.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Elizabethtown | 12.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Gray's Creek High Hope Mills | 14.3 mi | 4.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tar Heel School has a median household income of $72,019. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $107,800, with a median rent of $742/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aversboro Elementary Garner, NC | 5.9 |
| Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville, NC | 5.9 |
| Emma Elementary Asheville, NC | 5.9 |
| Farmer Elementary School Asheboro, NC | 5.9 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Goldsboro, NC | 5.9 |
| South Creek Elementary Robersonville, NC | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1644 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Tar Heel School's MySchoolScout rating?
Tar Heel School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Tar Heel School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tar Heel School has 36.8% math proficiency and 31.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,156/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 862-2475
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bladen County Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,843
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,306
- District Rank
- #7 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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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