For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public elementary schools serving 4,793 students in Carteret County, NC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Carteret County, NC are Broad Creek Middle School, Tiller 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Carteret County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Carteret County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Broad Creek Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2382 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #22.
Tiller School
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1950 Live Oak Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Grades: K-5
| 201 students
Rank: #33.
Atlantic Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
151 School Drive
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Grades: PK-5
| 91 students
Rank: #44.
Bogue Sound Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3323 Highway 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Grades: PK-5
| 449 students
Rank: #55.
Morehead City Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 64%)
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
| 524 students
Rank: #66.
Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
174 Marshallberg Road
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Grades: PK-8
| 248 students
Rank: #77.
Morehead City Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4409 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Grades: PK-3
| 517 students
Rank: #88.
Harkers Island Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1163 Island Road
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Grades: K-5
| 111 students
Rank: #99.
Beaufort Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Grades: PK-5
| 367 students
Rank: #1010.
Morehead Elementary At Camp Glenn
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
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
| 255 students
Rank: #1111.
Newport Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 E Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Grades: 6-8
| 377 students
Rank: #1212.
Beaufort Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Grades: 6-8
| 256 students
Rank: #1313.
Newport Elementary School
(Math: 56% | 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
| 633 students
Rank: #1414.
Bridges School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Grades: 6-12
| 13 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
1108 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Grades: 9-12
| 43 students
3505 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Grades: 12-13
| 48 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Carteret County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Carteret County, NC include Broad Creek Middle School, Tiller School and Atlantic Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Carteret County?
14 public elementary schools are located in Carteret County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carteret County?
Carteret County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Carteret County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Carteret County include: Newport Middle School vs. Broad Creek Middle School, Harkers Island Elementary School vs. Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School, Broad Creek Middle School vs. Newport Middle School
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