For the 2025 school year, there are 41 public schools serving 28,705 students in Onslow County, NC (there are 18 private schools, serving 2,267 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Onslow County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Onslow County, NC are White Oak Elementary School, Swansboro High School and Surf City Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Onslow County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Onslow County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Onslow County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
White Oak Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
555 Wb Mclean Drive
Swansboro, NC 28584
(252) 393-3990
Swansboro, NC 28584
(252) 393-3990
Grades: PK-5
| 785 students
Rank: #22.
Swansboro High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
161 Queens Creek Rd
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-4300
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-4300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,192 students
Rank: #33.
Surf City Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12345-a Literacy Lane
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 928-0067
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 928-0067
Grades: PK-5
| 850 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Dixon High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
160 Dixon School Rd
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 347-2958
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 347-2958
Grades: 9-12
| 1,187 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Jacksonville High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1021 Henderson Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 989-2048
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 989-2048
Grades: 9-12
| 1,449 students
Rank: #66.
Coastal Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
370 Folkstone Rd
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 455-2448
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 455-2448
Grades: K-5
| 832 students
Rank: #77.
Swansboro Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
118 School Rd
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-1501
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-1501
Grades: K-5
| 633 students
Rank: #88.
New Bridge Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 New Bridge Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 346-5144
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 346-5144
Grades: 6-8
| 461 students
Rank: #99.
Dixon Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
130 Betty Dixon Rd
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 327-2104
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 327-2104
Grades: PK-5
| 734 students
Rank: #1010.
White Oak High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1001 Piney Green Rd
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-1541
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-1541
Grades: 9-12
| 1,226 students
Rank: #1111.
Parkwood Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Northwoods Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-6711
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-6711
Grades: K-5
| 471 students
Rank: #1212.
Queens Creek Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
159 Queens Creek Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-5115
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-5115
Grades: PK-5
| 760 students
Rank: #1313.
Morton Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
485 Old 30 Road
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 353-0930
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 353-0930
Grades: PK-5
| 741 students
Rank: #1414.
Richlands High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8100 Richlands Hwy
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-4191
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-4191
Grades: 9-12
| 1,043 students
Rank: #1515.
Swansboro Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1240 West Corbett Ave
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-3601
Swansboro, NC 28584
(910) 326-3601
Grades: 6-8
| 958 students
Rank: #1616.
Sand Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
868 Sand Ridge Road
Hubert, NC 28539
(910) 326-5199
Hubert, NC 28539
(910) 326-5199
Grades: K-5
| 560 students
Rank: #1717.
Dixon Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
118 Ridgefield Ave
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
(910) 347-2738
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
(910) 347-2738
Grades: 6-8
| 978 students
Rank: #1818.
Carolina Forest Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
141 Carolina Forest Boulevard
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 346-1778
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 346-1778
Grades: K-5
| 631 students
Rank: #1919.
Onslow Virtual School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Broadhurst Road
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 989-2013
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 989-2013
Grades: K-12
| 484 students
Rank: #2020.
Southwest High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1420 Burgaw Hwy
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-4888
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-4888
Grades: 9-12
| 685 students
Rank: #2121.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7444 Richlands Highway
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-3139
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-3139
Grades: K-5
| 532 students
Rank: #2222.
Richlands Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
415 Cow Horn Road
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-4142
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-4142
Grades: K-5
| 620 students
Rank: #2323.
Summersill Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 Summersill School Road
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-2672
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-2672
Grades: PK-5
| 523 students
Rank: #2424.
Northside High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
365 Commons Drive South
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-4868
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-4868
Grades: 9-12
| 1,074 students
Rank: #2525.
Southwest Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Burgaw Hwy
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-0900
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-0900
Grades: PK-5
| 740 students
Rank: #2626.
Clyde Erwin Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
323 New River Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1261
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1261
Grades: K-5
| 301 students
Rank: #2727.
Jacksonville Commons Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
315 Commons Drive South
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 346-6888
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 346-6888
Grades: 6-8
| 970 students
Rank: #2828.
Stateside Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
132 Stateside Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 478-3460
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 478-3460
Grades: K-5
| 564 students
Rank: #2929.
Blue Creek Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1260 Burgaw Hwy
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1717
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1717
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #3030.
Bell Fork Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
500 Bell Fork Rd
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-4459
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-4459
Grades: K-5
| 539 students
Rank: #3131.
Trexler Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
112 East Foy Street
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-4414
Richlands, NC 28574
(910) 324-4414
Grades: 6-8
| 759 students
Rank: #3232.
Northwoods Park Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
904 Sioux Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1202
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1202
Grades: 6-8
| 643 students
Rank: #3333.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3000 Furia Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-1105
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-1105
Grades: 6-8
| 520 students
Rank: #3434.
Hunters Creek Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4040 Hunters Trail
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 353-2147
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 353-2147
Grades: 6-8
| 888 students
Rank: #3535.
Jacksonville Commons Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1121 Commons Drive North
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 347-1056
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 347-1056
Grades: K-5
| 503 students
Show 6 more public schools in Onslow County, NC (out of 41 total schools)
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Onslow County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
5400 Florida Ave
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2575
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2575
Grades: PK-5
| 500 students
2028 Bevin St
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2575
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2575
Grades: 3-5
| n/a students
883 Stone St
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2561
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2561
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
835 Stone St
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2451
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2451
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
D1500 Curtis Rd
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 449-0601
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 449-0601
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
100 Barnett Way, Bldg Pp201
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 449-8000
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 449-8000
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
2027 Stone St
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2431
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2431
Grades: PK-2
| n/a students
835 Stone St
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2451
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2451
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
200 Broadhurst Rd
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 989-2013
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 989-2013
Grades: K-5
| 189 students
789 Brewster Blvd
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-3247
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-3247
Grades: PK-5
| 380 students
1943 Stone Street
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2431
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(910) 451-2431
Grades: PK-5
| 383 students
84 Iwo Jima Blvd
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 450-1635
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 450-1635
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
60 Terawa Blvd
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 451-2480
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 451-2480
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
2950 Saipan Dr
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 451-2588
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 451-2588
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
60 Tarawa Blvd
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 450-1662
Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543
(910) 450-1662
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
440 College St
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 346-6222
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 346-6222
Grades: PK-5
| 230 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Onslow County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Onslow County, NC include White Oak Elementary School, Swansboro High School and Surf City Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Onslow County?
41 public schools are located in Onslow County.
What percentage of students in Onslow County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Onslow County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Onslow County?
Onslow County public schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Onslow County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Onslow County include: Northside High School vs. Jacksonville High School, Queens Creek Elementary School vs. Swansboro Elementary School, Southwest Elementary School vs. Blue Creek Elementary School
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