The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Math. The lowest is 18% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on East Arcadia Elementary
East Arcadia Elementary serves a small, tight-knit student body in rural Riegelwood, a dispersed community in Columbus County anchored by a paper mill that is experiencing workforce reductions and recent ownership change. The school sits in a place defined by single-family homes, forested lots, and quiet residential character, where most families own their homes and commute to work on their own.
The school is small, with enrollment concentrated in the early grades, which is typical for a K-5 building serving a rural area with limited population growth. The enrollment reflects the economic reality of the community: the vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is racially and ethnically mixed, with the largest share Black students, followed by a substantial Hispanic population. The school receives Title I resources and support, indicating a high-poverty designation.
On the most recent state assessments, proficiency rates at East Arcadia are low across all tested subjects. In math and English language arts for grades 3 through 5, the school shows roughly one in four students meeting state proficiency standards. Science proficiency is lower still, though the science assessment underwent a name and cut-score change, making year-to-year comparison unclear. These results place the school well below typical performance benchmarks, and a parent may want to look further into what support structures and instructional approaches are in place to address these gaps, as well as what the school's plan is to improve outcomes over time.
The community context is important here. Riegelwood has few retail or dining options, with most services requiring a drive to nearby towns. The dominant employer, the International Paper mill, has cut jobs significantly in recent years and changed ownership in 2025. Housing is affordable relative to state and national medians, and families are drawn to the area partly by low costs. The nearest larger town is Wilmington, roughly 19 miles southeast, and there is no public transit; most residents drive.
Parents should be aware of a major district decision affecting this school. In March 2026, the Bladen County Board of Education voted to close East Arcadia and consolidate students with Clarkton School of Discovery, located roughly 23 miles away. This decision was driven by declining enrollment and substantial facility upgrades needed. The closure creates a significant change for families in the Riegelwood area, altering school assignment and lengthening commute distances considerably. The district has already consolidated other schools in recent years as part of a broader effort to reduce its footprint, so this fits a pattern of consolidation rather than expansion or stability in Bladen County Schools.
For a family in the area, this closure means the end of a neighborhood elementary school and a shift to a much longer bus ride or drive to the next school. Prospective families should confirm timing and transition plans directly with the district.
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