Excellent
#322 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 12% in state
Waccamaw
Elementary School · Brunswick County Schools
5901 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash, NC 28420
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
441
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ash
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#291 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 20
Brunswick County Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Waccamaw
Waccamaw is a public elementary school in Ash, NC, part of the Brunswick County Schools. The school serves approximately 441 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.9th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 63% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 51% in reading/language arts, 1 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $51,324, where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Waccamaw 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.
Score Breakdown
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Waccamaw — Students at Waccamaw score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Waccamaw Compares
See how Waccamaw performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 68.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 54.1% (2025).
Location
5901 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash, NC 28420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waccamaw may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Old Dock Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 8.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Supply Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Supply), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ash, see our Ash schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocean Isle Beach | 8.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Union Elementary Shallotte | 7.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary Ash | 8.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Old Dock Elementary Whiteville | 8.3 mi | 9.1 |
| West Brunswick High Shallotte | 8.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Nakina Middle Nakina | 8.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Shallotte Middle Shallotte | 10.0 mi | 8.0 |
| ACADEMY OF COASTAL CAROLINA Supply | 13.2 mi | 5.8 |
| North Myrtle Beach High Little River | 16.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro | 17.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Thomas Academy Lake Waccamaw | 17.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Supply Elementary Supply | 15.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Cedar Grove Middle Supply | 15.6 mi | 6.4 |
| North Myrtle Beach Middle Little River | 17.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Waterway Elementary Little River | 17.6 mi | 5.6 |
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw | 18.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Ocean Drive Elementary North Myrtle Beach | 18.2 mi | 6.8 |
| The COAST Bolivia | 16.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Williams Township Whiteville | 17.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Brunswick County Early College Supply | 16.4 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,324
Median Home Value
$205,100
Median Rent
$1,029/mo
Population
2,697
College Educated
13.4%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
45.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waccamaw has a median household income of $51,324. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,100, with a median rent of $1,029/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Cornelius Elementary Cornelius, NC | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas, NC | 8.2 |
| Creech Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waccamaw
What grades does Waccamaw serve?
Waccamaw serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Waccamaw?
Waccamaw has an enrollment of approximately 441 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waccamaw?
The student-teacher ratio at Waccamaw is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waccamaw rank in NC?
Waccamaw is ranked #322 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Waccamaw's MySchoolScout rating?
Waccamaw has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Waccamaw?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waccamaw has 62.9% math proficiency and 51.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waccamaw a charter school?
No, Waccamaw is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waccamaw a Title I school?
No, Waccamaw is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waccamaw?
99.3% of students at Waccamaw qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 441
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Brunswick County
- Phone
- (910) 756-5560
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Brunswick County Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,262
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,088
- District Rank
- #2 of 20
Other Schools in This District
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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