The only school district in Bladen County had stagnant enrollment numbers in the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
There were 3,794 students in Bladen County Schools, unchanged from the year before.
The enrollment numbers in Bladen County were steady compared to the overall increasing trend across the state.
Bladen County Schools has a main office in Elizabethtown and is the only school district within Bladen County.
Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).
Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.
| School | Total Enrollment in 2023-24 | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bladen High School | 680 | 687 | -1% |
| Emereau: Bladen | 569 | 565 | 0.7% |
| East Bladen High School | 545 | 525 | 3.8% |
| Elizabethtown Primary School | 442 | 442 | 0% |
| Bladenboro Primary School | 395 | 377 | 4.8% |
| Tar Heel Middle School | 389 | 288 | 35.1% |
| Elizabethtown Middle School | 308 | 326 | -5.5% |
| Bladenboro Middle School | 274 | 276 | -0.7% |
| Dublin Primary School | 238 | 197 | 20.8% |
| Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy | 204 | 143 | 42.7% |
| Clarkton School of Discovery | 185 | 209 | -11.5% |
| Bladen Lakes Primary School | 147 | 117 | 25.6% |
| Bladen Early College | 125 | 135 | -7.4% |
| East Arcadia Elementary School | 66 | 55 | 20% |
