Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28349

The 28349 zip code area in North Carolina is home to two schools - Kenansville Elementary and Duplin Early College High, both part of the Duplin County Schools district. While both schools serve high-poverty student populations, Duplin Early College High stands out as the academic standout, consistently earning higher state rankings and ratings compared to Kenansville Elementary.

Duplin Early College High is ranked in the top 30% of North Carolina high schools and has maintained a 4-star or 3-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past 3 years, while Kenansville Elementary has remained at a 2-star rating. Duplin Early College High also boasts notably higher proficiency rates than the district and state averages on key End-of-Course exams. Despite serving a high-needs student population, the school is able to effectively support and challenge its students.

In contrast, Kenansville Elementary has a higher per-student spending of $10,620 compared to Duplin Early College High's $7,848 per student, yet its academic outcomes lag behind. This raises questions about the efficient allocation of resources and the factors that contribute to academic success beyond just funding levels. The significant enrollment gap between the two schools (573 students at Kenansville Elementary versus 202 at Duplin Early College High) may also indicate differences in the educational models and community needs they are serving.