Needs Improvement
#2549 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Columbus High
High School · Columbus County Schools
PO Box 130, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cerro Gordo
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#535 of 579
In district
#11 of 11
Columbus County Schools
About West Columbus High
West Columbus High is a regular public high school located in the remote rural setting of Cerro Gordo, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 455 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at West Columbus High is currently rated at 2.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the sixth percentile among North Carolina schools.
Students perform at around 36% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 43% proficiency or above in Math. With room for academic growth, West Columbus High focuses on student development within its rural community. The school is situated in a remote area where close-knit relationships between students and teachers can foster a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Columbus High 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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West Columbus High — Students at West Columbus High score 33% proficient, which is below 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 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.1/10.
How West Columbus High Compares
See how West Columbus High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 36.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 30.5% (2025).
Location
PO Box 130, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Columbus High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Columbus Career and College Academy (rated 7.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Sea Floyds High (rated 7.4/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Green Sea), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lake View High (rated 6.3/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Lake View), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cerro Gordo, see our Cerro Gordo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Columbus School Cerro Gordo | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn | 5.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 8.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Orrum Middle Orrum | 10.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville | 10.1 mi | 4.2 |
| South Columbus High Tabor City | 12.4 mi | 4.5 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 11.2 mi | — |
| Williams Township Whiteville | 12.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Green Sea Floyds High Green Sea | 13.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Sea Floyds Elementary Green Sea | 14.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 12.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Long Branch Elementary Lumberton | 14.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 12.2 mi | 6.3 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 12.2 mi | — |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 12.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 12.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Fairmont High Fairmont | 14.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Lake View High Lake View | 13.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro | 15.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Bladenboro Primary Bladenboro | 15.8 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28430 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,786
Median Home Value
$121,000
Median Rent
$594/mo
Population
1,678
College Educated
10.4%
Homeownership
62.4%
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
43.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Columbus High has a median household income of $66,786. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,000, with a median rent of $594/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw, NC | 3.7 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville, NC | 3.7 |
| Pasquotank County High Elizabeth City, NC | 3.8 |
| Randolph Early College High School Asheboro, NC | 3.8 |
| Granville Central High Stem, NC | 3.4 |
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy, NC | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Columbus High
What grades does West Columbus High serve?
West Columbus High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Columbus High?
West Columbus High has an enrollment of approximately 455 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Columbus High?
The student-teacher ratio at West Columbus High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Columbus High rank in NC?
West Columbus High is ranked #2549 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Columbus High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Columbus High has a composite rating of 3.6 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 West Columbus High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Columbus High has 43.5% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Columbus High a charter school?
No, West Columbus High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Columbus High a Title I school?
No, West Columbus High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Columbus High?
99.3% of students at West Columbus High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 455
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Columbus County
- Phone
- (910) 654-6111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbus County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,360
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,006
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
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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