Summary:
Zip code 28540 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, is home to two public high schools—Jacksonville High and Southwest High—both part of Onslow County Schools and serving grades 9 through 12. These two schools present very different academic profiles, with Jacksonville High consistently outperforming Southwest High across nearly every measure examined. Jacksonville High currently ranks in the 52nd percentile statewide with a 3-star rating, while Southwest High sits in the 14th percentile with a 1-star rating, having declined steadily from the 20th percentile over the past three years.
Jacksonville High is the stronger performer. Its 93.7% graduation rate tops both the district (91.5%) and state (88.8%), and its chronic absenteeism rate of 23.7% is below the state average of 24.2%. The school's 2025–26 End-of-Course results show it above state averages in English II (71.3% proficient) and Math I (55.0%) and roughly on par in Biology and Math III. English II is a clear strength, improving by 11.5 points in one year. About 47.4% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Southwest High faces significant challenges, especially in mathematics and attendance. Only 16.5% of students are proficient in Math I, and Math III proficiency is 31.9%—both far below state levels, and both showing no meaningful improvement in the latest year. Chronic absenteeism affects 36.7% of students, more than 13 points above Jacksonville High, and its 88.1% graduation rate trails the district average. More students (57.3%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch than at Jacksonville High. Notably, Southwest High actually spends more per student ($10,201 vs. $9,620) yet has much lower outcomes. Both schools improved in English II recently, and Southwest gained ground in Biology, but math and attendance remain clear priorities for intervention at Southwest High.
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