- Enrollment
- 669
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Cerro Gordo, NC
West Columbus School
Federal NCES profile for West Columbus School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 34/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 370096003621
👥 S:T ratio 34
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
West Columbus School earns 34/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the North Carolina median.
- 34
- Resource Index · Typical
- 16.6:1
- students per teacher
- 99.6%
- free-lunch eligible
- 814
- students enrolled
West Columbus School has class sizes near the North Carolina median. Computed live against every North Carolina school reporting to NCES.
School address
District: Columbus County Schools · North Carolina
NCES ID 370096003621 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+34 students YoY
West Columbus School held near 812 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+34 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 49.0 → 54.4 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+34 students YoY 370096003621 · Cerro Gordo, NC Other · MID · TRAD
814 enr · 16.6:1 · 99.6% lunch · RII 34
Nearest enrollment peer: South Columbus High (669 students)
West Columbus School held near 812 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+34 headcount). Teacher FTE added 49.0 → 54.4 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · North Carolina schools → · Find another →
West Columbus School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- This school
West Columbus School
814 students
- South Columbus
South Columbus High
669 students
- Williams Towns
Williams Township
659 students
- East Columbus
East Columbus Junior-Senior High
576 students
- West Columbus
West Columbus High
459 students
- Tabor City Ele
Tabor City Elementary
415 students
What this shows West Columbus School reports 814 students on the CCD universe file.
How West Columbus School compares
West Columbus School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs North Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs North Carolina | North Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 16.6:1 | ▲ 5% | 15.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 99.6% | ▲ 51% | 66.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 814 | top 17% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
16.6:1
Leaner classes than 33% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
814
Bigger than 86% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
99.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 51% above the North Carolina average of 66.0%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
16.6:1
students per teacher
- 5% above state mean
Top 69% in North Carolina - lower ratio than 31% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Funding equity
$14,006
per pupil, district-wide
- above North Carolina avg of $12,294
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Student demographics
White 51.2%
African American 30.7%
Hispanic or Latino 8.8%
Two or More 8.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
Largest group: White at 51.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 62.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 62.9, West Columbus School is more mixed than the North Carolina school average of 56.1.
District finance for Columbus County Schools reports $14,006 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How West Columbus School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Columbus High | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Williams Township | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| West Columbus High | Smaller | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Tabor City Elementary | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to West Columbus School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 659
- Students per teacher
- 15.3:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 576
- Students per teacher
- 15.2:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
- Enrollment
- 459
- Students per teacher
- 18.4:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
- Enrollment
- 415
- Students per teacher
- 15.4:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~814 students)
Frequently asked questions about West Columbus School
How many students attend West Columbus School?
West Columbus School has 814 students enrolled. It is a public school in Cerro Gordo, NC. CCD year-over-year: 778 (2022-23) → 812 (2023-24), nearly flat (+34).
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Columbus School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Columbus School is 16.6:1, which is 5% higher than the North Carolina average of 15.8:1 and 6% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at West Columbus School?
99.6% of students at West Columbus School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the North Carolina average of 66.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of West Columbus School?
The largest demographic group at West Columbus School is White at 51.2% of enrollment, in Cerro Gordo, NC. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 62.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for West Columbus School?
West Columbus School has a Resource Investment Index of 34/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 1 factor: student-teacher ratio. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology). Limited indicators were available, so the index reflects partial data.
What other schools are in Columbus County Schools?
Besides West Columbus School, Columbus County Schools also operates South Columbus High (669 students), Williams Township (659 students), and East Columbus Junior-Senior High (576 students). See the Columbus County Schools district page for the complete list.