The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Science. The lowest is 10% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on North Whiteville Academy
North Whiteville Academy is an alternative school serving students in grades six through twelve in Whiteville, a small county-seat city in Columbus County. The school operates as part of Whiteville City Schools and functions as an option for students who have not succeeded in traditional public school settings.
The school is very small, with an enrollment in the low twenties. The population is economically disadvantaged: a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial composition is majority Black, with smaller numbers of white students and students of two or more races. Data on special education enrollment and English learners was not available.
On state testing in recent years, the school's proficiency results are quite low. On the most recent math assessment for grades three through eight, students scored in the lowest range of proficiency. On the English language arts assessment, a very small number of students achieved proficiency. Science testing data comes from an older year and is no longer comparable due to changes in how the state measures performance, so a contemporary picture of science outcomes is not available. When the school's proficiency index is placed against other districts in Columbus County, it falls into the bottom quartile.
A graduation rate was not reported, which is typical for alternative schools that serve students on different pathways or timelines. Attendance and chronic absenteeism data were also not available.
Whiteville City Schools, the district that oversees North Whiteville Academy, has recently unified its approach to early literacy instruction across elementary grades, rolling out the Reading Horizons curriculum with intensive monitoring and support. That structured approach to reading instruction anchors the district's work, though the district brief did not specify whether North Whiteville Academy participates in or aligns with this literacy initiative.
Whiteville itself is a small city in southeast North Carolina undergoing mixed growth. The city has lost population in recent years, but the surrounding county is planning substantial new residential development that could bring significant population growth over the next two decades. Downtown Whiteville is undergoing revitalization with streetscape improvements, facade rehabilitation, and a planned community space on a former shopping center site. The local housing market is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. Major employers include a hospital system, the community college, correctional facility, government offices, and retail operations. The area has no public transit system.
A parent considering North Whiteville Academy should understand that this is a small alternative school serving a highly economically disadvantaged population with very low current proficiency levels. The school's role within the district and its specific instructional approach, staffing, or outcomes tracking were not detailed in available information. A parent may want to discuss with the school directly what specific needs it serves, what instruction looks like in each subject area, how progress is monitored beyond state testing, and what kind of engagement and support the school provides to help students progress.
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