Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28472

The 28472 zip code area is home to 9 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools, serving a diverse student population with high rates of economic disadvantage. While some standout schools like Old Dock Elementary and Columbus Career and College Academy are performing well, others like Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville and Williams Township are struggling to meet state proficiency standards, particularly in reading and math.

The high rates of free and reduced-price lunch eligibility, ranging from 88% to over 99%, suggest a strong correlation between poverty and academic performance. Schools with the highest poverty levels, such as Whiteville Primary, tend to have lower proficiency rates. The variation in spending per student and student-teacher ratios may also indicate differences in the availability of resources and funding across the schools, which could be a contributing factor to the performance disparities observed.

The data presents an opportunity for the schools in the 28472 zip code, which are spread across Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville, Whiteville City Schools, and Columbus County Schools, to collaborate and share best practices, especially between the higher-performing and lower-performing institutions. This could help to improve overall educational outcomes in the area and address the resource and funding disparities that may be contributing to the performance gaps.