Below Average
#2292 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
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,292 of 2,648
In Lake Waccamaw
#1 of 2
public schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Thomas Academy
High School in Lake Waccamaw · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
East Columbus Junior-senior High
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hallsboro-artesia Elementary
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thomas Academy
Thomas Academy is a public high school in Lake Waccamaw, NC, part of Thomas Academy. Thomas Academy serves approximately 70 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,292 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Thomas Academy show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 70 students, Thomas Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Thomas Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Thomas Academy runs 23.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Thomas Academy — Students at Thomas Academy score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 23 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: 9.5/10.
How Thomas Academy Compares
See how Thomas Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. East Bladen High (rated 8.8/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Elizabethtown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbus Career and College Academy (rated 7.8/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whiteville High (rated 5.8/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.6 |
| Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Old Dock Elementary Whiteville | 11.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 9.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 10.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 10.6 mi | 7.0 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 10.6 mi | — |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 10.8 mi | 7.7 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 11.9 mi | — |
| East Arcadia Elementary Riegelwood | 12.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton | 14.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Nakina Middle Nakina | 16.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Waccamaw Ash | 17.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 14.7 mi | 7.8 |
| East Bladen High Elizabethtown | 17.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville | 15.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Williams Township Whiteville | 15.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood | 15.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Emereau: Bladen Elizabethtown | 19.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn | 16.9 mi | 7.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Davidson River School Brevard, NC | 4.3 |
| Meadowbrook Academy King, NC | 4.5 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough, NC | 4.5 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford, NC | 3.9 |
| CHAMPION EDUCATIONAL CENTER Beulaville, NC | 4.6 |
| The COAST Bolivia, NC | 4.7 |
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 ranks #2,292 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Thomas Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thomas Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Academy has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 67.1%
- Phone
- (910) 646-2237
- 4-Year Graduation
- 49.5%
Resources & Links
District
Thomas Academy- District Enrollment
- 70
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,338
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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