Below Average
#2328 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Columbus High
High School · Columbus County Schools · Cerro Gordo, NC
A Columbus County Schools high school where students score 13 points below what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 130, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
- Math 36% vs NC 56% (2025)
- Reading 31% vs NC 54% (2025)
- 82.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at West Columbus High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 9 points since 2019, to 34% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 42% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 46% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where West Columbus High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 26Car-Dependent
- Bike 31Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$66,786
Median home value
$121,000
Median rent
$594/mo
College educated
10.4%
Homeownership
62.4%
Poverty rate
10.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28430; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
2 in Columbus County Schools
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Columbus Junior-senior HighEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | 7–12 | Not available | 560 | Compare → |
| South Columbus HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.2 | 9–12 | Not available | 689 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Columbus County Schools
- Schools in district
- 12
- Rank in district
- #10 of 11
- District spending per student
- $14,006NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 24.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
West Columbus High is listed in Columbus County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West Columbus High
West Columbus High is a public high school in Cerro Gordo, NC, part of Columbus County Schools, serving approximately 455 students in grades 9th-12th with a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,328 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #2,328 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Columbus High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Columbus High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 West Columbus High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Columbus High has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 455
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Columbus County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.0%
- Phone
- (910) 654-6111
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
- Area population (ZIP 28430)
- 1,678
- Area median age
- 43.8
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28430; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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