Very Good
#115 of 404 private schools in NC
Top 28% of private schools
The O'neal School
School
3300 AIRPORT RD, Southern Pines, NC 28387
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Southern Pines
#1 of 3
public schools
North Carolina schools
#70 of 238
About The O'neal School
The O'Neal School serves 489 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Southern Pines, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an impressive 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that supports student development across all grade levels. The school ranks #293 out of 404 schools statewide, placing it in the 28th percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic growth and improvement.
Despite this ranking, The O'Neal School has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, suggesting positive aspects of the school environment and educational approach. The school serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $76,060 and home values average $337,600. The area benefits from an educated population, with 52% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 11.5%.
This educated community backdrop provides a supportive environment for student learning and family engagement. The O'Neal School is situated in a rural setting near the town of Southern Pines in Moore County, offering students the benefits of a close-knit educational community while maintaining access to broader regional opportunities and resources.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, The O'neal School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The O'neal School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, The O'neal 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The O'neal School compares to the 4 public schools in Southern Pines, NC
Student Demographics
All Schools in Southern Pines
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The O'neal School (this school) | 7.1 |
| McDeeds Creek Elementary | 8.1 |
| Pinecrest High | 5.5 |
| Southern Pines Elementary | 7.7 |
| Moore Montessori Community School | 4.5 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
3300 AIRPORT RD, Southern Pines, NC 28387
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The O'neal School may also want to explore other schools in the area. STARS Charter (rated 7.6/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Vass), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SANDHILLS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Whispering Pines), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Southern Pines, see our Southern Pines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SANDHILLS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whispering Pines | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Southern Pines | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| McDeeds Creek Elementary Southern Pines | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Southern Pines Elementary Southern Pines | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Pinecrest High Southern Pines | 3.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Sandhills Farm Life Elementary Carthage | 3.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Moore Montessori Community School Southern Pines | 3.8 mi | 4.5 |
| EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Pinehurst Elementary Pinehurst | 3.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Southern Middle Aberdeen | 4.9 mi | 7.9 |
| STARS Charter Vass | 4.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Aberdeen Elementary Aberdeen | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| FATHER CAPODANNO SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Vass | 6.1 mi | 7.0 |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage | 7.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Union Pines High Cameron | 7.4 mi | 5.3 |
| New Century Middle Cameron | 7.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage | 8.1 mi | 7.3 |
| The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney Carthage | 8.1 mi | 5.8 |
| West Pine Elementary West End | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Connect Academy West End | 6.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,587
Median Home Value
$366,600
Median Rent
$1,137/mo
Population
15,643
College Educated
52.6%
Homeownership
56.8%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding The O'neal School has a median household income of $73,587. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $366,600, with a median rent of $1,137/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| NEUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh, NC | 7.1 |
| CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL Asheville, NC | 7.0 |
| SANDHILLS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whispering Pines, NC | 7.0 |
| Summit Charter Cashiers, NC | 7.0 |
| ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY Rocky Mount, NC | 7.2 |
| BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burlington, NC | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The O'neal School
What grades does The O'neal School serve?
The O'neal School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend The O'neal School?
The O'neal School has an enrollment of approximately 489 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The O'neal School?
The student-teacher ratio at The O'neal School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The O'neal School rank in NC?
The O'neal School is ranked #115 out of 404 private schools in NC.
What is The O'neal School's MySchoolScout rating?
The O'neal School has a composite rating of 7.1 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.
Is The O'neal School a private school?
Yes, The O'neal School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The O'neal School a religious school?
No, The O'neal School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 6 Car-Dependent
- City Safety
- High (2,422/100K)
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 489
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- MOORE
- Phone
- (910) 690-6920
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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