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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How The O'neal School compares to the 4 public schools in Southern Pines, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
This School
vs
18.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
489
This School
vs
949
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 76.5% vs 0%
Black 3.9% vs 0%
Asian 3.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.5% vs 0%
The O'neal School Southern Pines Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 39%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 489
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)

White 76.5%
Two or More 11.9%
Black 3.9%
Asian 3.9%
Hispanic 3.5%
Native American 0.4%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
City Safety
High (2,422/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Southern Pines). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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