First Flight High School is a public high school serving grades 9–12. The school was established in 2004, and is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The school opened to students on August 17, 2004, with 800 of them in attendance coming from nearby Manteo High School.
Serving 874 students in grades 9-12, First Flight High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55-59% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 64% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 874 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 20%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 20% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 55-59% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 64% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 50-54% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: First Flight High School serves the northern part of Kill Devil Hills, NC, covering an area of approximately 33.4 square miles. Most families live within a 10-12 minute drive from the school, with the furthest edge of the zone located about 16.6 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
First Flight High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
First Flight High School's student population of 874 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 44 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
874 students
Total Classroom Teachers
44 teachers
Year Founded
2004
School Motto
'Take Flight'
School Rankings
First Flight High School ranks within the top 30% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of First Flight High School is 0.34, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#697 out of 2617 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)55-59%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
5%
Hispanic
13%
22%
Black
1%
24%
White
80%
42%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(21-22)93%
86%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)31.5%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
26%
72%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Blue
School Mascot
Nighthawks
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is First Flight High School's ranking?
First Flight High School is ranked #697 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are First Flight High School often compared to?
First Flight High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Manteo High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
55-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of First Flight High School?
The graduation rate of First Flight High School is 93%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend First Flight High School?
874 students attend First Flight High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
80% of First Flight High School students are White, 13% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of First Flight High School?
First Flight High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does First Flight High School offer ?
First Flight High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is First Flight High School part of?
First Flight High School is part of Dare County Schools.
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