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Average

#1175 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 44% in state

Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology

Elementary School · Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology

1249 Hargett Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Charter

Enrollment

110

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jacksonville

#11 of 26

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#900 of 1,474

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology

Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology is a charter school located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, within Onslow County. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 110 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers.

Despite its small size, Z.E.C.A. focuses on integrating arts and technology into its curriculum to provide a unique educational experience. The academic performance at Z.E.C.A. shows room for growth, as reflected in the MySchoolScout rating of 4 out of 10 and state ranking of #2001 among 2661 schools in North Carolina (25th percentile). The school's proficiency rates stand at 40% in ELA/Reading and 23% in Math, indicating areas where additional support might be beneficial.

Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology is situated in a small city setting, providing students with a close-knit community environment conducive to learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 110 students, Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology is 22:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7%
Math vs. State Avg-27 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.1 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,909

Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology — Students at Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
56.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
54.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
30.8%
ELA
47.1%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology Compares

See how Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in NC
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

1249 Hargett Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clyde Erwin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northwoods Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville 0.2 mi 7.8
FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville 0.7 mi
New Bridge Middle Jacksonville 0.7 mi 7.0
SHILOH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING Jacksonville 1.0 mi
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL Jacksonville 1.3 mi 7.8
Bell Fork Elementary Jacksonville 1.2 mi 6.5
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 1.5 mi 5.9
Northwoods Elementary Jacksonville 1.6 mi 7.1
ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville 1.7 mi 5.2
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 2.0 mi 8.7
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 2.0 mi 6.6
Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville 2.0 mi 6.2
Onslow Early College Jacksonville 2.1 mi 6.7
Jacksonville High Jacksonville 2.4 mi 6.1
Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville 2.1 mi 4.8
Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville 2.5 mi 6.3
VILLAGE ACADEMY Jacksonville 2.2 mi
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI LLC Jacksonville 2.3 mi 5.5
Jacksonville Commons Middle Jacksonville 3.0 mi 4.7
Northside High Jacksonville 3.0 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,462

Median Home Value

$201,700

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

50,808

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

29

Community Profile

The community surrounding Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology has a median household income of $61,462. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,700, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Success Institute Charter Statesville, NC 6.8
BNAI SHALOM DAY SCHOOL Greensboro, NC 6.6
THE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Swannanoa, NC 6.6
Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain, NC 6.9
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville, NC 6.9
FRIENDS SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington, NC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology

What grades does Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology serve?

Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology?

Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology has an enrollment of approximately 110 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology?

The student-teacher ratio at Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology rank in NC?

Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology is ranked #1175 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology's MySchoolScout rating?

Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology has 23.0% math proficiency and 39.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology a charter school?

Yes, Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology a Title I school?

No, Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology?

95.5% of students at Z.e.c.a. School of Arts and Technology 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

County Safety
Elevated (770/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Onslow County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology
District Enrollment
110
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,061
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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