Average
#1876 of 2,648 schools in NC
Based on limited data
West Columbus School
Elementary School · Columbus County Schools
PO Box 280, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cerro Gordo
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,238 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 11
Columbus County Schools
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About West Columbus School
West Columbus School serves students in grades PreK through 8 in the remote rural community of Cerro Gordo, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 812 students and 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, allowing for individualized attention in the classroom. The school faces significant academic challenges, with proficiency rates below state averages in both core subjects.
Currently, 38% of students score at or above proficiency in ELA/Reading, while 37% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These results place the school in the lower percentile range statewide, indicating an area with substantial room for academic growth and improvement. As a regular public school serving the PreK through 8 grade span, West Columbus School is the anchor educational institution for this rural area.
The school's remote location shapes its role as a central gathering place for the community it serves. Families considering West Columbus should be aware of the current academic performance data and may want to discuss support resources and school improvement initiatives with administrators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Columbus School 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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West Columbus School — Students at West Columbus School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
How West Columbus School Compares
See how West Columbus School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 280, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Columbus School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chadbourn Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Chadbourn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edgewood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whiteville Primary (rated 7.4/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cerro Gordo, see our Cerro Gordo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Columbus High Cerro Gordo | 0.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn | 6.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 8.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Orrum Middle Orrum | 10.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville | 10.4 mi | 4.2 |
| South Columbus High Tabor City | 12.6 mi | 4.5 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 11.7 mi | — |
| Green Sea Floyds High Green Sea | 13.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Sea Floyds Elementary Green Sea | 13.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Williams Township Whiteville | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Long Branch Elementary Lumberton | 14.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 12.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 12.6 mi | 6.3 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 12.6 mi | — |
| Fairmont High Fairmont | 14.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 12.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Lake View High Lake View | 13.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 13.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Lake View Elementary Lake View | 13.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro | 15.9 mi | 3.7 |
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 School 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 |
|---|---|
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC | 5.5 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Leland Leland, NC | 5.5 |
| David D Jones Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.5 |
| Oak View Elementary High Point, NC | 5.5 |
| Pinewood Elementary Charlotte, NC | 5.5 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia, NC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Columbus School
What grades does West Columbus School serve?
West Columbus School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend West Columbus School?
West Columbus School has an enrollment of approximately 812 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Columbus School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Columbus School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Columbus School rank in NC?
West Columbus School is ranked #1876 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Columbus School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Columbus School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Columbus School has 37.2% math proficiency and 38.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Columbus School a charter school?
No, West Columbus School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Columbus School a Title I school?
No, West Columbus School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Columbus School?
99.6% of students at West Columbus School 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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 812
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Columbus County
- Phone
- (910) 654-4250
- 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
- #8 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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