Below Average
#2402 of 2,648 schools in NC
Thomas Academy
High School · Thomas Academy
PO Box 300, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Thomas Academy — Students at Thomas Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.6/10.
How Thomas Academy Compares
See how Thomas Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 25.9% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (910) 646-2237
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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