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Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology

Public, Charter Grades K-8

1420^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,490 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 5% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology is a public charter elementary school serving 110 students in grades K-8 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Despite its small size, the school consistently ranks in the bottom 10-15% of elementary schools in the state, underperforming the state average on standardized tests across all grade levels and subject areas.

In the 2024-2025 school year, Z.E.C.A. School's proficiency rates ranged from just 8.3% to 70% in math and reading, compared to the state averages of 53.5% to 59.3% in math and 51.9% to 58.1% in reading. The school serves a high-needs student population, with 95.45% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2023-2024, significantly higher than nearby schools. Additionally, the school has a relatively high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 19.5 to 25.9 over the past few years, compared to the nearby schools which have ratios around 12-16.

Despite being located in the same Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology District, which is ranked 237th out of 242 districts in the state, Z.E.C.A. School is not able to match the academic outcomes of several higher-performing Morton Elementary, Summersill Elementary, and other nearby schools. This suggests that factors beyond just district-level resources may be contributing to the school's persistent challenges in providing a high-quality education to its students.

104

Students ?

17.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

95.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1249 Hargett Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540

(910) 219-8603

District: Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology

Racial breakdown:

African American:

58.7%

Hispanic:

17.3%

White:

12.5%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 3rd percentile in 2015 → 5th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (35% vs 57% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (5th percentile)

!Science scores 42 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school35%

North Carolina avg57%

1,420^th of 1,490

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 5%▲ up 2 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

237^th of 242Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	10.1	1420 of 1490	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.5	1491 of 1505	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	17.0	1334 of 1514	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	17.3	1257 of 1489	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	7.8	1413 of 1473	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.0	1378 of 1434	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	3.2	1401 of 1429	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	2.2	1414 of 1425	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	5.6	1400 of 1440	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	22.8	788 of 918	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	3.7	946 of 949	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	19.1	834 of 927	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	8.6	1370 of 1424	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	11.5	1395 of 1450	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	13.6	1288 of 1361	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	40.8	453 of 784	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	11.3	726 of 786	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	13.7	659 of 741	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	32.6	535 of 737	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	8.2	653 of 694	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	26.3	528 of 692	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	56.4	180 of 559	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	28.8	426 of 550	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	57.1	267 of 735	63.7%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

African American (2025)14th percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2024)4th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2019)4th percentile~ school

Middle school

African American (2023)68th percentile+26 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)64th percentile+21 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2024-2025) ?

Reading46%-8 vs state

Mathematics30%-28 vs state

Science20%-42 vs state

2.3

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, March 1, 2019

While the idea is great, the implementation and how it is run is saddening and ineffective. The students that have been consistently attending the school or that have a connection in the admin are rarely punished no matter the offense. However, if you are new or are have no connection than you do not mean anything to them. They will tell you the school is a business and the amount of money and time required by parents is where that is seen the most. My child’s education suffers because of the students that have behavioral issues. The one’s that throw tantrums and that are continuously interrupting class. And the saddest part is nothing is being taken care of on the admin level. I am always asked to take care of it and to stand beside my son’s teacher. Where’s admin? I don’t understand why my child’s education has to suffer in order for them to make their money and keep disrespectful students there. Based on what my son has told me I am very disappointed and appalled. But what do they do when I ask them? They come up with a lame excuse and send me away. No parent should send their child to this school unless you want their education to suffer at the hands of another student. Teachers are amazing and miracle workers but their hard work does not shine through the misbehaviors and those few students that run each room. If you want a successful student I would highly recommend you sending them anywhere but to this school. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, August 14, 2018

I absolutely love this school. My child no longer attends here because we had to move but the improvement I seen in my child was phenomenal . I can’t wait to see where this school goes in the future. For where it’s located it’s something different and not seen in the area. I honestly feel as if they weren’t in this small town they would thrive so much more. Nonetheless I wish them the best. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Completely unprofessional staff. Terrible school! Charter should be revoked asap! Close Quote

Schools Near Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				EOG Mathematics (2025)				EOG Reading (2025)				EOG Science (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology	Public, Charter	K-8	1249 Hargett Street	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology	Yes	No	No	Yes	(910) 219-8603	104	6	17.8	95.2%	13 (12.5%)	61 (58.7%)	18 (17.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (11.5%)	10.1	1420^th of 1490 public elementary schools	4.7%		3.5	1491^st of 1505 public elementary schools	0.9%	71		8.3	33.3	50.0		50.0	26.7	70.0	20.0
Clyde Erwin Elementary	Public, Magnet	K-5	323 New River Dr	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(910) 347-1261	283	24	12.0	61.8%	72 (25.4%)	66 (23.3%)	114 (40.3%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	29 (10.2%)	33.5	1029^th of 1490 public elementary schools	30.9%		29.7	1103^rd of 1505 public elementary schools	26.7%	74	62.2	46.2	37.2		46.7	53.8	41.9		41.9	$10,965	$929	$10,036
Bell Fork Elementary	Public	K-5	500 Bell Fork Rd	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 347-4459	551	38	14.5	74.0%	136 (24.7%)	219 (39.7%)	137 (24.9%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	53 (9.6%)	38.1	949^th of 1490 public elementary schools	36.3%		37.9	970^th of 1505 public elementary schools	35.5%	21	54.5	58.6	44.2		40.3	62.6	41.9		43.0	$9,844	$1,331	$8,513
Northwoods Elementary	Public, Magnet	K-5	617 Henderson Dr	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(910) 347-2808	439	33	13.3	72.2%	168 (38.3%)	114 (26.0%)	84 (19.1%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.4%)	64 (14.6%)	37.1	960^th of 1490 public elementary schools	35.6%		34.1	1024^th of 1505 public elementary schools	32.0%	64	43.9	46.8	54.5		35.4	61.3	53.0		54.5	$9,947	$1,028	$8,919
Parkwood Elementary	Public	K-5	2900 Northwoods Dr	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 347-6711	457	32	14.2	52.5%	221 (48.4%)	81 (17.7%)	93 (20.4%)	8 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	51 (11.2%)	53.8	675^th of 1490 public elementary schools	54.7%		59.3	596^th of 1505 public elementary schools	60.4%	79	50.6	48.8	71.8		47.1	53.6	62.4		68.2	$9,969	$731	$9,237
Jacksonville Commons Elementary	Public	K-5	1121 Commons Drive North	Jacksonville	28546	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 347-1056	506	37	13.6	69.8%	165 (32.6%)	140 (27.7%)	103 (20.4%)	11 (2.2%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	83 (16.4%)	30.7	1078^th of 1490 public elementary schools	27.7%		19.6	1292^nd of 1505 public elementary schools	14.2%	214	65.1	52.6	34.3		41.9	51.3	41.4		34.4	$10,168	$1,161	$9,007
Blue Creek Elementary	Public	K-5	1260 Burgaw Hwy	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 347-1717	498	38	13.2	67.3%	235 (47.2%)	87 (17.5%)	118 (23.7%)	4 (0.8%)	6 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (9.4%)	26	1158^th of 1490 public elementary schools	22.3%		14.3	1373^rd of 1505 public elementary schools	8.8%	215	55.6	40.0	36.4		44.4	48.3	39.8		40.9	$10,673	$1,191	$9,482
Carolina Forest Elementary	Public	K-5	141 Carolina Forest Boulevard	Jacksonville	28546	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 346-1778	570	39	14.6	47.9%	207 (36.3%)	140 (24.6%)	118 (20.7%)	32 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.2%)	66 (11.6%)	73	344^th of 1490 public elementary schools	76.9%		70.1	397^th of 1505 public elementary schools	73.6%	53	71.6	69.0	64.8		58.9	67.8	70.3		63.7	$8,201	$658	$7,543
Hunters Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3450 Hunters Trail	Jacksonville	28546	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 353-4443	585	45	13.0	71.8%	189 (32.3%)	130 (22.2%)	176 (30.1%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	86 (14.7%)	37.7	954^th of 1490 public elementary schools	36.0%		36.2	990^th of 1505 public elementary schools	34.2%	36	48.0	44.7	53.6		37.8	52.9	62.3		55.1	$9,669	$1,315	$8,354
Summersill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	250 Summersill School Road	Jacksonville	28540	Onslow County	Onslow County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 455-2672	482	40	11.9	74.3%	202 (41.9%)	125 (25.9%)	88 (18.3%)	5 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (12.7%)	46.8	807^th of 1490 public elementary schools	45.8%		52.6	710^th of 1505 public elementary schools	52.8%	97	59.5	47.8	51.5		47.3	49.3	61.8		61.8	$10,099	$866	$9,233

Frequently Asked Questions about Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology

Is Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology a good school?

Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology ranks in the bottom 4.7% of North Carolina elementary schools.

What district is Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology in?

Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology

How many students attend Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology?

In the 2024-25 school year, 104 students attended Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology.

What is the racial makeup of Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology?

Students at Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology are 59% African American, 17% Hispanic, 13% White, 12% Two or more races.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.