Summary:
In zip code 28463, there is exactly one elementary school, Tabor City School, a PK-8 campus serving nearly 600 students in the Columbus County Schools district. Tabor City School is a high-poverty school where 99.5% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and 28.8% are chronically absent. Because it is the only school in the zip code, comparisons are made against district and state averages rather than against other local schools.
Tabor City School's overall state ranking has fallen recently, with the school now in the bottom 10% of North Carolina schools and holding a 0-star rating. However, the school shows a clear pattern of relative strength in middle-grade mathematics: 6th grade math proficiency was 58.9%, essentially tied with the state average of 59.2%, and 7th and 8th grade math outpaced the district by notable margins. By contrast, elementary grades struggle substantially, especially 4th grade, where math and reading proficiency are both just 25.4% compared to state averages above 57%. Science is also a major concern, particularly in 5th grade, where only 29.1% scored proficient, a 38.6-point gap below the state.
These results suggest that while the middle school math program appears comparatively strong, the elementary grades and science instruction need urgent attention. Year-to-year changes are large and inconsistent, such as a 22-point jump in 3rd grade reading and a 27-point drop in 4th grade reading, indicating unstable cohort conditions rather than steady progress. For parents, the key takeaway is that Tabor City School faces real challenges tied to high poverty and chronic absenteeism, but certain grade levels and subjects show promise. The most pressing needs are in 4th grade math and reading, 5th grade science, and overall elementary reading, while 6th grade math is a clear highlight.
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