For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public elementary schools serving 6,600 students in Columbus County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbus County, NC are Old Dock Elementary School, Central Middle School and Edgewood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Columbus County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Columbus County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Old Dock Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12489 New Britton Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-2084
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-2084
Gr: PK-4 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
Central Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
310 S Martin L King Jr Ave
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3546
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3546
Gr: 6-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #33.
Edgewood Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
317 E Calhoun Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3121
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-3121
Gr: 3-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
North Whiteville Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
310 S Martin Luther King Jr Av
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Gr: 6-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #55.
Nakina Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9822 Seven Creeks Hwy
Nakina, NC 28455
(910) 642-8301
Nakina, NC 28455
(910) 642-8301
Gr: 5-8 | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #66.
Chadbourn Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
409 E Third Avenue
Chadbourn, NC 28431
(910) 654-3825
Chadbourn, NC 28431
(910) 654-3825
Gr: PK-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Acme Delco Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16337 Old Lake Road
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 655-2957
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 655-2957
Gr: PK-6 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hallsboro-artesia Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1337 Giles Byrd Road
Hallsboro, NC 28442
(910) 646-3510
Hallsboro, NC 28442
(910) 646-3510
Gr: PK-6 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #99.
Williams Township
(Math: 46% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10400 James B White Hwy
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 653-3791
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 653-3791
Gr: PK-8 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
35 Bacon's Way
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4042
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4042
Gr: K-8 | 842 students Student-teacher ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1111.
East Arcadia Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
21451 Nc Hwy 87 East
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 247-4609
Riegelwood, NC 28456
(910) 247-4609
Gr: K-5 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1212.
Thomas Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
206-b Rube Mccray Circle
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-2237
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-2237
Gr: 6-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: n/an/a
203 Stake Road
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3618
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3618
Gr: PK-8 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: n/an/a
7685 Andrew Jackson Hwy Sw
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-4250
Cerro Gordo, NC 28430
(910) 654-4250
Gr: PK-8 | 814 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
805 Barbcrest Avenue
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-4119
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 642-4119
Gr: PK-2 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbus County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbus County, NC include Old Dock Elementary School, Central Middle School and Edgewood Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Columbus County?
17 public elementary schools are located in Columbus County.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus County?
Columbus County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Columbus County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Columbus County include: Whiteville Primary vs. Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville, Central Middle School vs. Whiteville Primary, Central Middle School vs. Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville
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