For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 2,344 students in Beaufort County, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in Beaufort County, NC are Beaufort Co Early College High School, Washington Montessori and Southside High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Beaufort County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Beaufort County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Beaufort County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 83%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Beaufort Co Early College High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Beaufort County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Beaufort Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5337 Hwy 264 East, Building 10
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Grades: 9-13
| 246 students
Rank: #22.
Washington Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2330 Old Bath Hwy
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1977
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1977
Grades: K-12
| 413 students
Rank: #33.
Southside High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5700 Hwy 33 East
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 940-1881
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 940-1881
Grades: 9-12
| 433 students
Rank: #44.
Northside High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7868 Free Union Church Road
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6341
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6341
Grades: 9-12
| 393 students
Rank: #55.
Washington High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Slatestone Road
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0858
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0858
Grades: 9-12
| 859 students
Beaufort County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
693 North 7th Street
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-4524
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-4524
Grades: 6-8
| 101 students
b c Educational tech center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5700 Nc Highway 33 East
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-5382
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-5382
Grades: 6-12
| 39 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Beaufort County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Beaufort County, NC include Beaufort Co Early College High School, Washington Montessori and Southside High School.
How many public high schools are located in Beaufort County?
5 public high schools are located in Beaufort County.
What is the racial composition of students in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County public high schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Beaufort County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Beaufort County include: Southside High School vs. Northside High School, Northside High School vs. Southside High School, Beaufort Co Early College High School vs. Washington High School
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.