The only school district in Scotland County had declining enrollment in the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
There were 5,281 students in Scotland County Schools, 1.6% lower than the year before.
The enrollment numbers in Scotland County fell short of the state’s trend, which shows an overall increase in enrollment across North Carolina.
Scotland County Schools has a main office in Laurinburg and is the only school district within Scotland County.
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 in 2023-24 | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland High School | 1,304 | 1,353 | -3.6% |
| Laurel Hill Elementary School | 636 | 627 | 1.4% |
| Spring Hill Middle School | 623 | 626 | -0.5% |
| Carver Middle School | 602 | 657 | -8.4% |
| South Johnson Elementary School | 598 | 632 | -5.4% |
| Wagram Elementary School | 459 | 466 | -1.5% |
| Sycamore Lane Primary School | 365 | 373 | -2.1% |
| Sycamore Lane Elementary School | 326 | 346 | -5.8% |
| Scotland Early College High | 236 | 224 | 5.4% |
| Shaw Academy | 132 | 65 | 103.1% |
