Columbus County Schools is celebrating significant improvement across the district in the 2024-25 school year, marking a milestone in student achievement, school performance, and graduation success.
Columbus County Schools recorded a notable 2.5 point increase in K-8 reading proficiency and a remarkable 9.7 point combined improvement in high school math proficiency on state assessments. The district’s four-year graduation rate surged by more than three points, rising from 85.7% in 2024 to an impressive 88.5% this year, reflecting the dedication of students, teachers, and staff. Additionally, Columbus County Schools’ graduates continue to lead the state and the nation in post-high school planning and success, with greater than 80% FAFSA completion two years running.
A majority of schools within the district made substantial school performance progress this past year. In total, 58.3% of schools received a school performance grade of C or better this past year, up sharply from just 41.6% in 2024. Five schools—Columbus Career and College Academy, Old Dock Elementary, Chadbourn Elementary, Hallsboro Artesia Elementary, and West Columbus High School—each improved their school performance grade, while Old Dock Elementary also exceeded annual growth expectations. Ten out of the district’s twelve schools made or exceeded annual growth this past year, an increase from 41.6% to 83.3% in one year.
Notably, Columbus Career and College Academy advanced from a C to a B, gaining 13 points, while Old Dock Elementary jumped from a C to a B, improving by 10 points. West Columbus High School and the elementary schools at Chadbourn and Hallsboro Artesia also saw their grades rise, demonstrating a commitment to school improvement and student achievement.
For the first time since before the pandemic, the district has officially exited low-performing status. Over half of Columbus County schools made or exceeded expected growth and achieved a C or higher in their performance grade, surpassing the 50% threshold required for the district to exit low-performing status.
“These outstanding results are the product of hard work, dedication, and collaboration across our schools,” said Eddie Beck, the Superintendent of Columbus County Schools. “The progress highlights the commitment of teachers, staff, students, and families to academic excellence and ongoing improvement.”
Columbus County Schools remains committed to building on these achievements and ensuring every student is equipped for success. The district will continue to focus on academic growth, innovation, and partnership to sustain and exceed these results in coming years.
Read the full release here-
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BcoY1vEObbxKa26e9peL53T_Y5cFUNvCKn6J4xPrWRc/edit?usp=sharing
Each school year, Columbus County Schools conducts vision screenings on 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students. These screenings are at no cost to you. Vision screenings identify concerns early and promote student learning. If you do not want your child to participate in the vision screenings, please contact your School Nurse if you wish to opt out for your child. The vision screening calendar is listed below.
HAES (09/24/2025)
ADES (09/25/2025)
WTS (10/14/2025)
CES (10/15/2025)
ODES (10/17/2025)
TCS (10/22/2025)
NMS (10/08/2025)
WCS (10/21/2025)
**POSITION OVERVIEW**
Student U is partnering with leaders across The North Carolina Community Schools Coalition (NCCSC) to expand and implement Full Service Community Schools (FCSCs) in North Carolina over five years, from January 2024 – December 2028. Student U is the regional implementation partner tasked with the growth and leadership of community schools in North Carolina.
The Community Schools Coordinator (CSC) is responsible for the implementation of the community schools model at the school site. They will be an integrated member of the team, embedded on site.
**In the first year, the CSC will:**
- Develop strong relationships with all members of the school community, including staff, administrators, students, parents, and community partners.
- Conduct a thorough needs and assets assessment (ANA) via a listening tour.
- Recruit for and launch a School Advisory Board to develop and implement a strategic plan that is responsive to those assets and needs and aligns with the four pillars of the Community Schools Model.
- Open a Family Resource Center to provide both material (food, clothing, hygiene) and economic (benefit enrollment and access) support for families.
Over time, the CSC develops and furthers the wisest use of community resources to create optimal impact by enhancing community and individual assets, meeting critical needs, and promoting long-term collective solutions.
This position is based in the local school district, with Student U serving as the employer.
Read the full job description here. https://5il.co/3p2y5
Apply here:
https://ats.rippling.com/studentu/jobs/c1ec09b7-8735-4e71-a57b-0de526328521
**Important Notice for Parents of Middle and High School Students**
In compliance with North Carolina state law (Session Law 2023-128), all public schools are required to show age-appropriate videos created by the NC Center for Safer Schools to students in grades 6–12 within the first five days of the school year.
These videos provide information on recognizing likely warning signs that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect, including age-appropriate guidance on sexual abuse prevention. This is a state requirement for all North Carolina public schools, not a Columbus County Schools initiative.
See this for more information - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QLIrrX478StjO4oAM8SfuBRy6S4p1cUz/view
CCS social workers and nurses participated in a back to school event sponsored by the Columbus County Health Department. This event provided community resources and back to school supplies to over 200 county residents.
On this first full day back for teachers, we honor them with a poem by Hailey Long, 2024 Poet Laureate of SCHS, called "A Teacher's Map."
“ A Teacher’s Map ”
We read books that had hidden messages,
poured over paragraphs we didn’t understand,
whispered the right answers out loud, too afraid to speak up.
We wrote formulas over and over again,
gripping pens like weapons in a war we didn’t prepare for,
keeping our distance from success because we were lost.
Everyone here wanted a place for themselves,
but we all feared escaping what we were familiar with,
and maybe we were trapped inside of fear itself,
but it was a dark room of doubt that we had constructed alone.
We looked for the door and never a light.
The soft moments when a teacher waited for us to speak,
when a voice in the front of the room said,
“You matter here even when you go.”
The mornings when the world outside was louder than thoughts,
and they asked if we were okay before asking for our homework.
There were lessons not written in chalk or typed into slides.
They lived in the way we were told we had potential,
even when we didn’t believe it ourselves.
They lived in the patience for our late assignments,
and the understanding that sometimes life gets in the way.
We didn’t always listen.
We didn’t always try.
But someone kept showing up for us anyway.
Now we walk out of these halls carrying more than just a paper.
We carry their words that saved us,
the looks that saw us for who we are,
the hands that guided us to become something more.
And maybe that’s what teaching truly is,
not filling our heads with notes, but our hearts with maps,
being someone who gives us the key of light,
and guides us to the door that was always open
This guide includes helpful info to get your school year off to a great start. Still have questions? Use the form at the bottom and we’ll be in touch!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS-pgCU_5-j-iN88MVkCT1YKBhCJK91Gpir9s0BsIau-V8PtOuyDDEKb_a_MW7F6qj1opPsXyqNg3xd/pub
Makeup Substitute Update Training - 9AM-12PM August 6th at Central Services.
