Elementary Schools in Bladen County Schools

The Bladen County Schools district in North Carolina is home to 6 elementary schools serving grades PK-5, with some schools extending to grade 8. These schools serve a high-poverty student population, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 96% to 99.4%.

Among the standout schools in the district, Tar Heel School stands out for its strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics and science. In 2024-2025, 53.3% of 3rd and 4th graders at Tar Heel were proficient or better in mathematics, compared to the district average of 42.1% and the state average of 64.1%. Dublin Primary also excelled, with the highest 3rd grade mathematics proficiency rate in the district at 63.3%, and strong reading scores as well. Bladen Lakes Primary had standout 4th and 5th grade mathematics proficiency, as well as the highest 5th grade science proficiency in the district.

However, the data also reveals significant achievement gaps between the Bladen County Schools district and the state of North Carolina, with the district lagging behind in areas such as 3rd grade mathematics and reading proficiency. Additionally, there is variability in school performance, with some schools, like Elizabethtown Primary and East Arcadia Elementary, struggling with proficiency rates well below the district and state averages. These disparities highlight the challenges faced by high-poverty schools in the district and the importance of targeted interventions to address these gaps.