Robeson County Schools & Education
Robeson County, North Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
30/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,478
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
30/100
Higher = better
State avg 40/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#81
of 100 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Robeson County
School Verdict
Robeson County faces educational challenges with a school score of 30/100 and a graduation rate of 87.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,478 per pupil, Robeson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Robeson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 26% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Robeson County, North Carolina
A Large Rural Network of Thirty-Nine Schools
Robeson County manages 39 public schools serving a large student population of 21,640. The network includes 23 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and six high schools. This infrastructure is distributed across four districts to serve one of the state's largest geographical areas.
Meeting National Graduation Standards with Efficiency
Robeson County achieves a graduation rate of 87.0%, meeting the national average despite lower funding levels. The county spends $6,478 per pupil, which is approximately $500 less than the North Carolina state average. Even with leaner budgets, the county maintains a school score of 50.8, which is above the national median.
The Public Schools of Robeson County
The Public Schools of Robeson County is the primary district, educating 21,029 students in 36 schools. Three charter schools, including Southeastern Academy and CIS Academy, provide specialized options for over 300 students. Charters represent nearly 8% of the total school count in the county.
Large Campuses in Rural and Town Locales
The county's schools are split between 20 rural sites and 19 town locations, reflecting the region's vast landscape. Campuses are generally large, with an average enrollment of 569 students. Lumberton Senior High is a major center with 1,935 students, while Purnell Swett High also serves over 1,600 students.
Investing in Homes Near Robeson Schools
Home buyers in Lumberton and Saint Pauls often prioritize proximity to the county’s large high school campuses. With a graduation rate that matches the national average, the area offers a stable educational environment for growing families. Research specific district zones to find homes that offer the best school access in this expansive county.
School Overview
Total Schools
39
in Robeson County
Total Enrollment
21,640
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
3
8% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Robeson County
Public Schools of Robeson County
Old Main Stream
Southeastern Academy
CIS Academy
39 Public Schools in Robeson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton Senior High | Public Schools of Robeson County | 9–12 | High | 1,935 |
| Purnell Swett High | Public Schools of Robeson County | 9–12 | High | 1,608 |
| Saint Pauls High | Public Schools of Robeson County | 9–12 | High | 1,151 |
| Red Springs High | Public Schools of Robeson County | 9–12 | High | 851 |
| Prospect Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–8 | Primary | 848 |
| Fairmont High | Public Schools of Robeson County | 9–12 | High | 840 |
| Magnolia Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–8 | Primary | 781 |
| Saint Pauls Middle | Public Schools of Robeson County | 5–8 | Middle | 708 |
| Lumberton Junior | Public Schools of Robeson County | 6–8 | Middle | 707 |
| Saint Pauls Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–4 | Primary | 700 |
| Pembroke Middle | Public Schools of Robeson County | 6–8 | Middle | 698 |
| Pembroke Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–5 | Primary | 692 |
| Littlefield Middle | Public Schools of Robeson County | 4–8 | Middle | 658 |
| Red Springs Middle | Public Schools of Robeson County | 5–8 | Middle | 596 |
| Parkton Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–8 | Primary | 581 |
| East Robeson Primary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–3 | Primary | 546 |
| Peterson Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–4 | Primary | 540 |
| Piney Grove Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–6 | Primary | 477 |
| L Gilbert Carroll | Public Schools of Robeson County | 4–5 | Primary | 464 |
| Union Chapel Elementary | Public Schools of Robeson County | PK–6 | Primary | 448 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,478
State avg $6,969
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Robeson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Robeson County?
How much does Robeson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Robeson County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Robeson County, North Carolina?
Robeson County manages 39 public schools serving a large student population of 21,640. The network includes 23 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and six high schools. This infrastructure is distributed across four districts to serve one of the state's largest geographical areas.
How do schools in Robeson County perform academically?
Robeson County achieves a graduation rate of 87.0%, meeting the national average despite lower funding levels. The county spends $6,478 per pupil, which is approximately $500 less than the North Carolina state average. Even with leaner budgets, the county maintains a school score of 50.8, which is above the national median.
What are the major school districts in Robeson County, North Carolina?
The Public Schools of Robeson County is the primary district, educating 21,029 students in 36 schools. Three charter schools, including Southeastern Academy and CIS Academy, provide specialized options for over 300 students. Charters represent nearly 8% of the total school count in the county.
What is the school experience like in Robeson County?
The county's schools are split between 20 rural sites and 19 town locations, reflecting the region's vast landscape. Campuses are generally large, with an average enrollment of 569 students. Lumberton Senior High is a major center with 1,935 students, while Purnell Swett High also serves over 1,600 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Robeson County, North Carolina?
Home buyers in Lumberton and Saint Pauls often prioritize proximity to the county’s large high school campuses. With a graduation rate that matches the national average, the area offers a stable educational environment for growing families. Research specific district zones to find homes that offer the best school access in this expansive county.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.