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Below Average

#2402 of 2,648 schools in NC

Thomas Academy

High School · Thomas Academy

PO Box 300, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450

Charter

Enrollment

70

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Waccamaw

#1 of 2

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#457 of 579

About Thomas Academy

Thomas Academy, located in the rural setting of Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, serves students from sixth grade through twelfth grade. As an alternative charter school, it offers a unique educational environment for 70 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of about 23 to 1, supported by three full-time equivalent teachers. The school focuses on providing individualized support and attention in a smaller setting.

Thomas Academy has a MySchoolScout rating of 1.4 out of 10, ranking it at the bottom among North Carolina schools. Test scores indicate that only 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while just 9% achieve proficiency or better in math. Despite these challenges, Thomas Academy remains committed to its mission of student development and growth.

The school's rural setting offers a tranquil environment for learning and personal growth. For families seeking an alternative educational option with a strong focus on individual attention, Thomas Academy may be worth considering.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 70 students, Thomas Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Academy is 23.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Thomas Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.9%
Math vs. State Avg-33.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.2 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-53.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,103

Thomas Academy — Students at Thomas Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 9.4%
School
State
48.9%
ELA Proficiency 29.6%
School
State
53.9%

Based on 7 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2025
Math
8.3%
ELA
29.6%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Thomas Academy Compares

See how Thomas Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in NC
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Location

PO Box 300, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Columbus Career and College Academy (rated 7.8/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Bladen High (rated 4.7/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Elizabethtown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East Columbus Junior-Senior High (rated 3.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lake Waccamaw, see our Lake Waccamaw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.9 mi
School Distance Rating
East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw 1.7 mi 3.7
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro 3.2 mi 7.0
Old Dock Elementary Whiteville 11.5 mi 9.1
Edgewood Elementary Whiteville 9.8 mi 7.7
Whiteville High Whiteville 10.4 mi 3.7
Central Middle Whiteville 10.6 mi 6.3
North Whiteville Academy Whiteville 10.6 mi
Whiteville Primary Whiteville 10.8 mi 7.4
CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville 11.9 mi
East Arcadia Elementary Riegelwood 12.5 mi 5.2
Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton 14.0 mi 6.3
Nakina Middle Nakina 16.4 mi 5.5
Waccamaw Ash 17.7 mi 8.2
Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville 14.7 mi 7.8
East Bladen High Elizabethtown 17.8 mi 4.7
Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville 15.2 mi 4.2
Williams Township Whiteville 15.8 mi 6.5
Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood 15.6 mi 7.3
Emereau: Bladen Elizabethtown 19.5 mi 7.0
Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn 16.9 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,917

Median Home Value

$266,800

Median Rent

$983/mo

Population

2,256

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

83.8%

Avg Commute

30.4 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

48.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thomas Academy has a median household income of $74,917. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,800, with a median rent of $983/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
CHAMPION EDUCATIONAL CENTER Beulaville, NC 4.6
Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington, NC 4.7
Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham, NC 5.0
Cabarrus Co Opportunity School Concord, NC 5.0
TRINITY CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 5.0
The COAST Bolivia, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Academy

What grades does Thomas Academy serve?

Thomas Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Thomas Academy?

Thomas Academy has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Academy is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Academy rank in NC?

Thomas Academy is ranked #2402 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Thomas Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Academy has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Thomas Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Academy has 9.4% math proficiency and 29.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thomas Academy a charter school?

Yes, Thomas Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Thomas Academy a Title I school?

No, Thomas Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Columbus County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Thomas Academy
District Enrollment
70
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,338
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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