Average
#1989 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
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,989 of 2,648
In Cerro Gordo
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#8 of 11
Columbus County Schools
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West Columbus School
Elementary School in Cerro Gordo · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Columbus High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chadbourn Elementary
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West Columbus School
West Columbus School is a public elementary school in Cerro Gordo, NC, part of Columbus County Schools. West Columbus School serves approximately 812 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. West Columbus School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,989 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for West Columbus School show 37% math proficiency (2025 NC) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 NC). Based on limited data: 50% component coverage.
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
West Columbus School 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.
35% of students at West Columbus School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Columbus School — Students at West Columbus School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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. Whiteville Primary (rated 7.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Whiteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chadbourn Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Chadbourn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgewood Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 13.4 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 | 4.1 |
| Chadbourn Elementary Chadbourn | 6.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy Whiteville | 8.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Orrum Middle Orrum | 10.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville Whiteville | 10.4 mi | 3.0 |
| South Columbus High Tabor City | 12.6 mi | 4.2 |
| CAROLINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Whiteville | 11.7 mi | — |
| Green Sea Floyds High Green Sea | 13.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Green Sea Floyds Elementary Green Sea | 13.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Williams Township Whiteville | 12.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Long Branch Elementary Lumberton | 14.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Whiteville Primary Whiteville | 12.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Middle Whiteville | 12.6 mi | 7.0 |
| North Whiteville Academy Whiteville | 12.6 mi | — |
| Fairmont High Fairmont | 14.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Whiteville High Whiteville | 12.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Lake View High Lake View | 13.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville | 13.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Lake View Elementary Lake View | 13.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Bladenboro Middle Bladenboro | 15.9 mi | 4.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC | 5.0 |
| Durant Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.0 |
| Guilford Preparatory Academy Greensboro, NC | 5.0 |
| Jacksonville Commons Elem Jacksonville, NC | 5.0 |
| Rankin Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.0 |
| Saint Pauls Elementary Saint Pauls, NC | 5.0 |
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 ranks #1,989 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Columbus School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Columbus School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Columbus School has 37% math proficiency (2025 NC) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 NC).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.2%
- Phone
- (910) 654-4250
Resources & Links
District
Columbus County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,360
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,006
- District Rank
- #8 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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