For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 1,672 students in Carteret County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Carteret County, NC are Atlantic Elementary School, Bogue Sound Elementary School and Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carteret County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Carteret County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Carteret County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Atlantic Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
151 School Dr
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Gr: PK-5 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Bogue Sound Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3323 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
174 Marshallberg Rd
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Gr: PK-8 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Morehead City Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4409 Country Club Rd
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Gr: PK-3 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #55.
Beaufort Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Carraway Dr
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Newport Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
219 Chatham St
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Gr: PK-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Carteret County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Bridges Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1108 Bridges Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Gr: PK-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
1108 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Gr: 9-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
3505 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Gr: 12-13 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Carteret County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Carteret County, NC include Atlantic Elementary School, Bogue Sound Elementary School and Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Carteret County?
5 public preschools are located in Carteret County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carteret County?
Carteret County public preschools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Carteret County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Carteret County include: Morehead City Primary vs. Beaufort Elementary School, Beaufort Elementary School vs. Morehead City Primary
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