schoolsbycounty

Brunswick County Schools & Education

School Score

26/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Lower Signal

Graduation Rate

84.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

84.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 88.0%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,769

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,969

School Score

26/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 40/100

State Score Position

#88

of 100 counties by score

Education Data Brief: Brunswick County

Measured School Summary

Brunswick County faces educational challenges with a school score of 26/100 and a graduation rate of 84.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $6,769 per pupil, Brunswick County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 34% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 4.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read Brunswick County before comparing districts

County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.

Local context that changes the interpretation

22 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.

Overall screen

26/100

Lower measured signal. Ranks #88 of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data.

Completion

84.0%

4.0 pts below the state average

Funding context

$6,769

$200 below the state average

School coverage

22

3 districts represented in the county school list.

Start with measured county context

The county-level signal is lower, so review individual schools and local records before interpreting the score. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.

Check the local school mix

Brunswick County has 22 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.

Verify local rules

Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.

Parent decision brief

What Brunswick County school data means before you move

County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.

Dominant-district county

Brunswick County Schools carries most of the listed public-school system, with 20 of 22 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.

State position

#88

of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data. The county score is 14 points below the state average.

Data confidence

Usable

3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.

K-12 continuity check

These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.

Brunswick County Schools

Elementary to high school visible

12,944 students

Elementary 10Middle 5High 5Other 0

20 listed schools in this county slice.

Classical Charter Schools of Leland

Elementary school only in this slice

1,000 students

Elementary 1Middle 0High 0Other 0

1 listed school in this county slice.

Classical Charter Schools of Southport

Elementary school only in this slice

614 students

Elementary 1Middle 0High 0Other 0

1 listed school in this county slice.

District reality check

Brunswick County Schools is the largest listed district slice, with 20 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.

What the data cannot tell you

NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.

Questions to ask before choosing an address

Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Brunswick County?

Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Brunswick County district systems?

What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?

Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?

Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?

Education Overview

About Schools in Brunswick County, North Carolina

This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.

Growing Coastal Infrastructure for 14,000 Students

Brunswick County supports 14,558 students through a network of 22 public schools divided among 3 districts. The infrastructure includes 12 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 5 high schools to serve a growing population. One alternative school also operates within the county to meet diverse student needs.

Brunswick County Schools Leads the Coast

Brunswick County Schools is the dominant district, educating 12,944 students across 20 different schools. Two charter schools, including Classical Charter Schools of Leland with 1,000 students, make up roughly 9% of the county's total school count. These options provide families with both traditional and specialized educational pathways.

A Mix of Rural and Suburban Campus Life

School life varies between 17 rural campuses and 5 suburban locations, with an average school size of 662 students. High schools like West Brunswick and North Brunswick are the largest, each hosting over 1,400 students. This mix offers families a choice between larger high-energy campuses and more traditional rural school settings.

School Overview

Total Schools

22

in Brunswick County

Reported Enrollment

14,558

22 schools reporting

School Districts

3

districts

Charter Schools

2

9% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary12
Middle5
High5
Other0

3 School Districts in Brunswick County

Brunswick County Schools

Guide
20 schools
12,944 students
Open district guide

Classical Charter Schools of Leland

1 school
1,000 students

Classical Charter Schools of Southport

1 school
614 students

22 Public Schools in Brunswick County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 4 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

Level

Showing 20 of 22 matching schools

West Brunswick High

Brunswick County Schools

Shallotte, 28470 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High1,526 students

North Brunswick High

Brunswick County Schools

Leland, 28451 / Suburb: Midsize

Profile9–12High1,450 students

South Brunswick High

Brunswick County Schools

Southport, 28461 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High1,172 students

Classical Charter Schools of Leland

Classical Charter Schools of Leland

Leland, 28451 / Rural: Fringe

ProfileKG–8Charter1,000 students

Leland Middle

Brunswick County Schools

Leland, 28451 / Suburb: Midsize

Record6–8Middle780 students

Belville Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Leland, 28451 / Suburb: Midsize

RecordPK–5Primary726 students

Lincoln Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Leland, 28451 / Suburb: Midsize

RecordKG–5Primary675 students

Shallotte Middle

Brunswick County Schools

Shallotte, 28459 / Suburb: Midsize

Record6–8Middle674 students

Town Creek Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Winnabow, 28479 / Rural: Fringe

RecordKG–4Primary654 students

Classical Charter Schools of Southport

Classical Charter Schools of Southport

Bolivia, 28422 / Rural: Distant

RecordKG–7Charter614 students

South Brunswick Middle

Brunswick County Schools

Southport, 28461 / Rural: Fringe

Record6–8Middle572 students

Union Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Shallotte, 28470 / Rural: Fringe

RecordKG–5Primary571 students

Supply Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Supply, 28462 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–5Primary539 students

Virginia Williamson Elem

Brunswick County Schools

Bolivia, 28422 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–5Primary502 students

Town Creek Middle

Brunswick County Schools

Winnabow, 28479 / Rural: Fringe

Record5–8Middle500 students

Bolivia Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Bolivia, 28422 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–5Primary496 students

Cedar Grove Middle

Brunswick County Schools

Supply, 28462 / Rural: Fringe

Record6–8Middle434 students

Waccamaw

Brunswick County Schools

Ash, 28420 / Rural: Distant

RecordKG–8Primary430 students

Southport Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Southport, 28461 / Rural: Fringe

RecordKG–5Primary403 students

Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary

Brunswick County Schools

Ash, 28420 / Rural: Fringe

RecordKG–5Primary394 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,769

State avg $6,969

Compare Nearby Counties

Review Brunswick County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.

Open Compare

Browse Public Schools

See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.

View Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Which North Carolina counties have the highest graduation rates?
Jones County (97.0%), Pamlico County (95.7%), and Currituck County (95.0%) currently lead North Carolina among counties with available NCES four-year adjusted cohort graduation-rate data. This answer is generated from the same dataset used in the county table and can change when federal data refreshes.
What is per-pupil spending like in North Carolina?
Across North Carolina counties with available NCES district-finance data, average per-pupil spending is $6,969. The highest current county values are Hyde County ($10,356), Tyrrell County ($9,655), and Orange County ($8,629). Compare counties in the table before treating the statewide average as representative of a local district.
How should I read the school score in Brunswick County?
Brunswick County has a school score of 26/100, which is a lower measured signal in this county-level index. This score is calculated from available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance data, with school-level records shown separately below.
What is the graduation rate in Brunswick County?
The high school graduation rate in Brunswick County is 84.0%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Brunswick County spend per student?
Brunswick County spends $6,769 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. Current operating spending per fall enrollment, including instruction, support services, administration, transportation, and operations. It excludes capital outlays and debt service in the SchoolsByCounty methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Brunswick County, North Carolina — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Brunswick County, North Carolina?

Brunswick County supports 14,558 students through a network of 22 public schools divided among 3 districts. The infrastructure includes 12 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 5 high schools to serve a growing population. One alternative school also operates within the county to meet diverse student needs.

What are the major school districts in Brunswick County, North Carolina?

Brunswick County Schools is the dominant district, educating 12,944 students across 20 different schools. Two charter schools, including Classical Charter Schools of Leland with 1,000 students, make up roughly 9% of the county's total school count. These options provide families with both traditional and specialized educational pathways.

What is the school experience like in Brunswick County?

School life varies between 17 rural campuses and 5 suburban locations, with an average school size of 662 students. High schools like West Brunswick and North Brunswick are the largest, each hosting over 1,400 students. This mix offers families a choice between larger high-energy campuses and more traditional rural school settings.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.