The COAST

The COAST is a very small public school in Bolivia, NC, serving 96 students in grades 6-12 within Brunswick County Schools, and it has historically ranked among North Carolina's lowest-performing high schools. In 2025-2026, the school improved sharply from the 7th to the 31st percentile statewide — its strongest showing in years — though it still trails traditional nearby high schools such as North Brunswick High, West Brunswick High, South Brunswick High, and Eugene Ashley High.

Nearly all of The COAST's students come from economically disadvantaged households, with about 97% eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Chronic absenteeism, while improved from 70.6% in 2022-2023, remains very high at 51.8% — more than double the state average of 24.2% and well above the 28.8-38.0% range at nearby traditional high schools. Test scores from 2025-2026 are mixed but encouraging in places: English II proficiency reached 69.2% and Math I reached 51.4%, both at or above district and state averages. However, Biology proficiency was just 31.0%, about half the district rate, and Math III was only 17.6% proficient versus a district rate of 72.9%. Because testing cohorts are tiny, these numbers can swing dramatically from year to year, so they should be read with caution.

The COAST's high per-pupil spending of about $25,746 and its student-teacher ratio near 5:1 (versus 16:1 to 18:1 at neighboring high schools) suggest it operates as an intensive, alternative-type program. The contrast with Brunswick County Early College, located less than half a mile away, is notable: that school ranks in the 92nd percentile and posts 90%+ proficiency despite serving a similarly high-poverty population. Compared with J.C. Roe Academy in New Hanover County Schools — another tiny alternative school — The COAST is stronger in attendance, academics, and state ranking. In short, 2025-2026 was the most promising year in The COAST's recent track record, but attendance and achievement in Biology and Math III remain urgent challenges.