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Average

#1134 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 43% in state

Waccamaw

Elementary School · Brunswick County Schools

5901 Waccamaw School Road NW, Ash, NC 28420

Enrollment

441

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,134 of 2,648

In Ash

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#10 of 20

Brunswick County Schools

Equity

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Waccamaw

6.7/10

Elementary School in Ash · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Christian Academy

5.1/10

8.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Union Elementary

8.9/10

7.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Waccamaw

Waccamaw is a public elementary school in Ash, NC, part of Brunswick County Schools. Waccamaw serves approximately 441 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Waccamaw has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,134 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Waccamaw show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Waccamaw sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,088
Chronic Absenteeism26.8%

Waccamaw — Students at Waccamaw score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 51.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
91%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
64.8%
ELA
54.8%
2025
Math
68%
ELA
54.2%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Waccamaw Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in NC
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Union Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Shallotte), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ocean Drive Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby North Myrtle Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Old Dock Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. 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 8.9
Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary Ash 8.2 mi 6.8
Old Dock Elementary Whiteville 8.3 mi 8.0
West Brunswick High Shallotte 8.4 mi 6.1
Nakina Middle Nakina 8.5 mi 6.8
Shallotte Middle Shallotte 10.0 mi 6.7
ACADEMY OF COASTAL CAROLINA Supply 13.2 mi 5.8
North Myrtle Beach High Little River 16.4 mi 6.7
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro 17.4 mi 7.4
Thomas Academy Lake Waccamaw 17.7 mi 4.2
Supply Elementary Supply 15.0 mi 6.3
Cedar Grove Middle Supply 15.6 mi 5.7
North Myrtle Beach Middle Little River 17.4 mi 5.9
Waterway Elementary Little River 17.6 mi 6.5
East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw 18.8 mi 3.6
Ocean Drive Elementary North Myrtle Beach 18.2 mi 8.5
The COAST Bolivia 16.0 mi 4.7
Williams Township Whiteville 17.2 mi 5.1
Brunswick County Early College Supply 16.4 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beverly Hills Elementary Concord, NC 6.7
Camden Intermediate Camden, NC 6.7
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC 6.7
Catawba Elementary School Catawba, NC 6.7
First Ward Creative Arts Academy Charlotte, NC 6.7
Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly, NC 6.7

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 ranks #1,134 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Waccamaw's MySchoolScout rating?

Waccamaw has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Waccamaw?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Waccamaw has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.8%

District

Brunswick County Schools
District Enrollment
13,262
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,088
District Rank
#10 of 20

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