Top 10 Best Carteret County Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 7,410 students in Carteret County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 481 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Carteret County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%). Carteret County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
The top ranked public schools in Carteret County, NC are Marine Sci. & Tech. Early College High School, Croatan High School and Atlantic Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carteret County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Carteret County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).

Best Carteret County Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Marine Sci. & Tech. Early College High School
Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3505 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Grades: 10-12
| 86 students
Rank: #22.
Croatan High School
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 78%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1 Cougar Lane
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-7022
Grades: 9-12
| 910 students
Rank: #33.
Atlantic Elementary School
Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
151 School Drive
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Grades: PK-5
| 85 students
Rank: #44.
West Carteret High School
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 71%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4700 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1176
Grades: 9-12
| 1,134 students
Rank: #55.
Tiller School
Charter School
Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1950 Live Oak Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Grades: K-5
| 192 students
Rank: #66.
East Carteret High School
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 60-64%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3263 Hwy 70 E
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3514
Grades: 9-12
| 550 students
Rank: #77.
Broad Creek Middle School
Math: 63% | Reading: 68%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2382 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Grades: 6-8
| 701 students
Rank: #88.
Harkers Island Elementary School
Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1163 Island Road
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Grades: K-5
| 114 students
Rank: #99.
Bogue Sound Elementary School
Math: 63% | Reading: 63%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3323 Highway 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Grades: PK-5
| 441 students
Rank: #1010.
Morehead City Primary
Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4409 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Grades: PK-3
| 526 students
Rank: #1111.
Morehead City Middle School
Math: 53% | Reading: 63%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Barbour Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Grades: 6-8
| 448 students
Rank: #1212.
Beaufort Elementary School
Math: 57% | Reading: 56%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
110 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Grades: PK-5
| 394 students
Rank: #1313.
Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School
Math: 48% | Reading: 60%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
174 Marshallberg Road
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Grades: PK-8
| 257 students
Rank: #1414.
Morehead Elementary At Camp Glenn
Math: 53% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3316 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1131
Grades: 4-5
| 282 students
Rank: #1515.
Bridges School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
Rank: #1616.
Beaufort Middle School
Math: 42% | Reading: 55%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Grades: 5-8
| 242 students
Rank: #1717.
Newport Middle School
Math: 39% | Reading: 56%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
500 E Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Grades: 6-8
| 379 students
Rank: #1818.
Newport Elementary School
Math: 48% | Reading: 45%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
219 Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Grades: K-5
| 664 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Carteret County, NC

Carteret County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
1108 Bridges Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Grades: PK-12
| 68 students
1108 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Grades: 9-12
| 43 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Carteret County, NC?
How many public schools are located in Carteret County, NC?
18 public schools are located in Carteret County, NC.
What percentage of students in Carteret County, NC go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Carteret County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carteret County, NC?
Carteret County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

Back to School: Getting Up to Date with Required Vaccinations
Back to School: Getting Up to Date with Required Vaccinations
Stay up to date on the current requirements for vaccinations for school-age children today, as well as some of the problems schools face when parents do not properly immunize their kids.
Teaching in Contemporary Times
Teaching in Contemporary Times
We explore why individuals choose teaching, illuminating intrinsic motivations, the influence of role models, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and the aspiration to impact society.
Public Schools in a Minute
January 27, 2024
Public Schools in a Minute
Explore the diverse world of public schools in a minute! Our brief overview provides a snapshot of the educational landscape, school districts, curriculum, and more. Get a quick glance at the big picture of K-12 education.