Photo: Cat person · CC BY-SA 3.0Lake Waccamaw’s public schools score below 62% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Lake Waccamaw’s districts is 41%, below the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lake Waccamaw, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lake Waccamaw’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 306 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake Waccamaw’s, its schools beat 20%, lower than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,516 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 34% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Thomas Academy is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lake Waccamaw’s grade
C+: better than 38% of North Carolina school districts. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lake Waccamaw, with each school’s own grade.
Lake Waccamaw’s public schools are run by Columbus County Schools, which also serves Boardman, Bolton, Cerro Gordo and Chadbourn and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Lake Waccamaw vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Lake Waccamaw’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Waccamaw | C+ | Columbus County Schools |
Every school in Lake Waccamaw
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Lake Waccamaw’s schools
Are Lake Waccamaw’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lake Waccamaw children attend score below 62% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 20%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake Waccamaw in?
Columbus County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,440 students in 12 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake Waccamaw kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: South Columbus High, East Columbus Junior-Senior High, West Columbus High and Columbus Career and College Academy.
What is Lake Waccamaw’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Columbus County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Lake Waccamaw spend per student?
$13,516 in Columbus County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lake Waccamaw families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake Waccamaw → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.