For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 4,990 students in Columbus County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Columbus County, NC are Central Middle School, North Whiteville Academy and Nakina Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Columbus County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Columbus County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
East Columbus Junior-senior High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
32 Gator Lane
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-4094
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-4094
Gr: 7-12 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #77.
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Columbus County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Columbus County, NC include Central Middle School, North Whiteville Academy and Nakina Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Columbus County?
11 public middle schools are located in Columbus County.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus County?
Columbus County public middle schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Columbus County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Columbus County include: Central Middle School vs. Classical Charter Schools Of Whiteville
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