There were 5,105 students enrolled in Columbus County Schools in the 2023-24 school year, 0.5% more than the previous year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Columbus County Schools roughly covers 11 schools within Columbus County and has a main office in Whiteville.
Among the 11 schools in Columbus County Schools, West Columbus School recorded the highest enrollment of 768 students in the 2023-24 school year.
North Carolina’s student-teacher ratio is roughly 15.4 students per teacher, aligning with the national average. However, rising teacher turnover threatens to push class sizes higher, making it harder for students to get individualized attention.
If vacancies continue to grow, schools may struggle to maintain this ratio, impacting the quality of instruction. Districts in lower-funded areas face the biggest challenges, as limited budgets make it harder to attract and retain teachers.
| School | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|
| West Columbus School | 768 |
| South Columbus High School | 648 |
| Williams Township | 602 |
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High School | 554 |
| West Columbus High School | 433 |
| Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School | 350 |
| Acme Delco Elementary School | 283 |
| Old Dock Elementary School | 254 |
| Columbus Career and College Academy | 233 |
| Nakina Middle School | 208 |
| Chadbourn Elementary School | 197 |
