Thomas Academy

Thomas Academy is a public charter high school located in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, serving grades 6-12 with a total enrollment of 70 students. The school has a history of low performance, consistently ranking in the bottom half of North Carolina high schools over the past several years. In the 2022-2023 school year, Thomas Academy ranked 425 out of 626 high schools in the state and received a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Thomas Academy's academic performance is a significant concern, with the school consistently underperforming the state average on standardized tests. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 8.3% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better in mathematics, compared to the state average of 48.7%. The school's proficiency rates in reading and science for 8th-grade students were also significantly lower than the state averages. Additionally, Thomas Academy has struggled with low graduation rates, with a 4-year graduation rate of 67.7% in the 2024-2025 school year, compared to the state average of 87.7%.

When compared to nearby high schools, such as South Columbus High, East Bladen High, and Whiteville High, Thomas Academy consistently underperforms on key metrics like test scores and graduation rates. These nearby schools, while not top-performing, generally outpace Thomas Academy in academic achievement. The school's challenges may be exacerbated by the high percentage of low-socioeconomic status students it serves, with 99% or more of its students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Despite these obstacles, Thomas Academy has not shown a clear trajectory of improvement over the past several years, suggesting the need for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to school improvement.