West Columbus
High School
During the June meeting, the Board recognized the current Teachers of the Year.:
Acme Delco Elementary
Alicia Freeman
Chadbourn Elementary
Tonya White
Columbus Career and College Acdemy
Angela Jordan
East Columbus
Ebony Murchinson
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary
Amber Archie
Nakina Middle
Dawn Holt
Old Dock Elementary
Polly Whitesides
South Columbus H.S.
Breanna Seckman
Tabor City School
Terra Coats
West Columbus School
Dana Fipps
West Columbus High School
Jessica Williamson
Williams Township School
Maxie McPherson
During the June board meeting, the Board thanked the retirees for their many years of service to Columbus County Schools:
Central Services: Phillip Matt Edwards, Selina Gore, Jimmy Faulk, and Georgann Pigott.
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School: Barbara Campbell and Darlene Graham.
Nakina Middle School: Julie Sellers.
Old Dock Elementary School: Kimberly Andrews and Cheryl Gerald.
South Columbus High School: Cheryl Cartrette, Carlton Cox, Melissa Jones, Connie Mills, and Denise Price.
Tabor City School: Wanda Hardee, Kelly Miller, and Carolyn Strickland.
Technology Department: Troy Snowden.
Transportation Department: Roy Batten.
West Columbus School: Tullie Herring.
West Columbus High School: Dean Byerly.
Williams Township School: Martha Buffkin, Janet Hewett, Wendy Maguire, and Kimberly Parker.
Congratulations to Ari Britt for being awarded the "Heart of a Champion" award from the NCHSAA Wednesday June 10 at their annual awards ceremony in Greensboro! Ariana Britt was nominated by her cheer coach Tasha Dyson. Ari was also awarded the NCHSAA/Cheersounds scholarship as well as the North Carolina Cheer Coaches Association Cheer Scholarship this year!
This is an important reminder that a West Columbus Football Parent Meeting will take place on Monday evening at 6pm in the school auditorium. This meeting will give players and parents an opportunity to meet our coaches and receive important information about summer workouts, team expectations, required documentation, and practice schedules. Please come out and help us prepare for a successful season of Viking Football!
Columbus County Schools is proud to present live coverage of the Class of 2026 graduation ceremonies. Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates from West Columbus High School on June 5 at 6:00 PM, South Columbus High School on June 6 at 10:00 AM, and East Columbus Junior-Senior High School on June 6 at 4:00 PM. All ceremonies will be available live through the Columbus County Schools and school Facebook pages, the Columbus County Schools YouTube channel, Spectrum Channel 1304, the Columbus County Schools Mobile App, and the Columbus County Schools Roku App. We invite our community to tune in and celebrate this important milestone as the Class of 2026 takes the next step toward a bright future.
Southeastern Community College and Columbus County Schools are partnering to present a FREE Visual Arts Camp for rising 9th–12th grade students this summer!
Areas of concentration will include drawing, painting, paper crafting, 3D typography, and more. The camp will culminate in a student art showcase at SCC, highlighting the creativity and work developed throughout the program. Transportation and lunch will be provided for participating students.
Slots are extremely limited, and interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Contact Kelly Jones at kjones@columbus.k12.nc.us if you need more information.
Areas of concentration will include drawing, painting, paper crafting, 3D typography, and more. The camp will culminate in a student art showcase at SCC, highlighting the creativity and work developed throughout the program. Transportation and lunch will be provided for participating students.
Slots are extremely limited, and interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Contact Kelly Jones at kjones@columbus.k12.nc.us if you need more information.
Southeastern Community College and Sampson Community College are launching the NC HE²ALS Summer Program in Summer 2026 as an initiative for rising 9th and 10th grade students. The program is designed to introduce students to careers in the healthcare field while helping them build awareness of educational pathways and workforce opportunities available in our region.
During the program, students will have the opportunity to:
Learn about a variety of healthcare careers
Engage in hands-on learning experiences
Interact with healthcare professionals
Explore educational pathways that lead to high-demand healthcare careers
Because this is our first year, we are intentionally starting with Summer 1 and focusing on rising 9th and 10th graders.
This program is made possible through the support and funding provided by the J.M. Belk Endowment. Summer programming for high school students is one of several strategies supported by JMBE to address workforce shortages in our region through NC HE²ALS (Health Education & Employer Aligned Local Strategies).
During the program, students will have the opportunity to:
Learn about a variety of healthcare careers
Engage in hands-on learning experiences
Interact with healthcare professionals
Explore educational pathways that lead to high-demand healthcare careers
Because this is our first year, we are intentionally starting with Summer 1 and focusing on rising 9th and 10th graders.
This program is made possible through the support and funding provided by the J.M. Belk Endowment. Summer programming for high school students is one of several strategies supported by JMBE to address workforce shortages in our region through NC HE²ALS (Health Education & Employer Aligned Local Strategies).
Columbus County Schools is hosting a Job Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CCS Central Services Building (2586 James B. White Hwy, Whiteville, NC). This event offers job seekers the opportunity to meet with recruiters, explore available positions, and learn more about careers within the district. For more information, call 910-642-5168 ext. 24013 or 24014, or visit the CCS careers page at https://columbus.schoolspring.com/
to view openings and apply online.
to view openings and apply online.
Good morning. Power has been fully restored at West Columbus High School and we are operating as normal. Thank you!
Friday, May 1, is a regular school day for Columbus County Schools.
Some media outlets have shared incorrect information indicating otherwise. Please note that all schools will operate on their normal schedules.
We look forward to a great day of learning across the district!
Some media outlets have shared incorrect information indicating otherwise. Please note that all schools will operate on their normal schedules.
We look forward to a great day of learning across the district!
Columbus County Schools is hosting a Job Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CCS Board of Education (2586 James B. White Hwy, Whiteville, NC). This event offers job seekers the opportunity to meet with recruiters, explore available positions, and learn more about careers within the district. For more information, call 910-642-5168 ext. 24013 or 24014, or visit the CCS careers page at https://columbus.schoolspring.com/
to view openings and apply online.
to view openings and apply online.
Mr. Eddie Beck held the final meeting of the 2025–2026 school year with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council this past week. The council has been instrumental in developing the new strategic plan, offering valuable feedback and insight on initiatives aimed at improving learning for all students. Their impact will resonate for years to come.
Columbus County Schools invites families and community members to attend our upcoming AIG Showcase, where students in grades 3–8 will present the STEM projects they have been working on throughout the year. This event is a great opportunity to celebrate student creativity, innovation, and hard work.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM
West Columbus School Gym
7685 Andrew Jackson Hwy SW
Cerro Gordo, NC
We hope you will join us to support and celebrate our students!
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM
West Columbus School Gym
7685 Andrew Jackson Hwy SW
Cerro Gordo, NC
We hope you will join us to support and celebrate our students!
We’re excited to support our students during this important testing season! Please help ensure students are well-rested, on time, and ready to do their best each day.
5/14
CCCA EOC Testing
5/15
CCCA EOC Testing
5/18
CCCA EOC Testing
5/19
CCCA EOC Testing
5/20
CCCA EOC Testing
5/22
3–8 Math EOG
CCCA EOC Testing
5/25
Memorial Day Holiday
5/27
3–8 Reading EOG
5/29
5th & 8th Science EOG Testing
6/1
HS EOCs & CTE Exams
6/2
HS EOCs & CTE Exams
3–8 EOG Retesting
6/3
HS EOCs & CTE Exams
3–8 EOG Retesting
6/4
3–8 EOG Retesting
HS EOC Retesting
6/5
Last Day of School
Upcoming Substitute Update Trainings...
Join us for an evening celebrating student creativity at the Celebrate the Arts Show and Reception!
This special event will honor high school Gold Key winners and all 6 middle school Best of Show winners from the 2026 Celebrate the Arts.
Thursday, April 16
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Southeastern Community College
Wyche Gallery, A-Building
The work will be up through the middle of May.
Come out and support these talented students and enjoy an inspiring showcase of their work!
Columbus County Schools invites our families, staff, and community to share feedback on our draft Strategic Plan, which outlines our vision, priorities, and goals for the next several years.
Your input matters. This plan represents our shared commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community partnership. Please take a few minutes to review the draft plan and complete the brief survey below.
🔗 View the draft plan: https://canva.link/5ebk0eg0ldfp18c
📝 Share your feedback: https://forms.gle/YXmMgA2s1evNyHCg9
Together, we’re building the future of Columbus County Schools—one voice at a time.
There will be no school for students from April 3rd through April 10th. Students will return to school on April 13th.
Please mark your calendars for this year's AIG Showcase. It will held at West Columbus School (Little West) on Thursday, April 23 from 6:00-7:00. We look forward to seeing you there!
Celebrate the Arts, North Carolina’s largest student arts festival, will take place tomorrow, Saturday, March 21st, from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM at West Columbus High School. Admission is free.
Students have been busy all day preparing and are ready to showcase their incredible talents in band, chorus, dance, theatre, visual arts, poetry, and piano through performances and exhibits you won’t want to miss.
Students have been busy all day preparing and are ready to showcase their incredible talents in band, chorus, dance, theatre, visual arts, poetry, and piano through performances and exhibits you won’t want to miss.
