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 Public Schools in Carteret County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Marine Sci. & Tech. Early College High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3505 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Grades: 10-12
| 86 students
Rank: #22.
Croatan High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Cougar Lane
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-7022
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-7022
Grades: 9-12
| 910 students
Rank: #33.
Atlantic Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
151 School Drive
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Grades: PK-5
| 85 students
Rank: #44.
West Carteret High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4700 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1176
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:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1950 Live Oak Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Grades: K-5
| 192 students
Rank: #66.
East Carteret High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3263 Hwy 70 E
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3514
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3514
Grades: 9-12
| 550 students
Rank: #77.
Broad Creek Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2382 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Grades: 6-8
| 701 students
Rank: #88.
Harkers Island Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1163 Island Road
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Grades: K-5
| 114 students
Rank: #99.
Bogue Sound Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3323 Highway 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Grades: PK-5
| 441 students
Rank: #1010.
Morehead City Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4409 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Grades: PK-3
| 526 students
Rank: #1111.
Morehead City Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Barbour Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Grades: 6-8
| 448 students
Rank: #1212.
Beaufort Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
174 Marshallberg Road
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Grades: PK-8
| 257 students
Rank: #1414.
Morehead Elementary At Camp Glenn
(Math: 53% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3316 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1131
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1131
Grades: 4-5
| 282 students
Rank: #1515.
Bridges School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
Rank: #1616.
Beaufort Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Grades: 5-8
| 242 students
Rank: #1717.
Newport Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 E Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Grades: 6-8
| 379 students
Rank: #1818.
Newport Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
219 Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Grades: K-5
| 664 students
Carteret County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Bridges Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1108 Bridges Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Grades: PK-12
| 68 students
Coastal Academy For Technology And Scien (Closed 2015)
Charter School
1108 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
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?
The top ranked public schools in Carteret County, NC include Marine Sci. & Tech. Early College High School, Croatan High School and Atlantic Elementary School. Carteret County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
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).
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