South North Carolina News

There were 7,776 students enrolled in Columbus County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 14.3% more than the previous year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville registered the highest enrollment among Columbus County's 19 schools in the 2022-23 school year, welcoming 843 students.

North Carolina's public schools are facing a significant funding gap, with a per-student expenditure of $10,519 - well below the national average of $14,295.

This financial strain is further compounded by a significant challenge in staffing with a staggering 58.4% surge in vacant teaching positions in the 2021-22 school year, leaving over 5,000 classrooms without qualified instructors.

School name	Total Enrollment in 2021-22	Total Enrollment in 2022-23	% Change
Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville	835	843	1%
West Columbus School	-	745	-
South Columbus High School	647	659	1.9%
Whiteville High School	646	630	-2.5%
Williams Township	614	615	0.2%
East Columbus Junior-Senior High School	591	581	-1.7%
Edgewood Elementary School	445	458	2.9%
Central Middle School	465	457	-1.7%
Whiteville Primary School	-	446	-
West Columbus High School	385	391	1.6%
Tabor City Elementary School	357	382	7%
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School	329	324	-1.5%
Acme Delco Elementary School	281	286	1.8%
Old Dock Elementary School	249	262	5.2%
Nakina Middle School	215	210	-2.3%
Chadbourn Elementary School	217	202	-6.9%
Tabor City Middle School	164	181	10.4%
Thomas Academy	103	73	-29.1%
North Whiteville Academy	27	31	14.8%