Top Rankings
Onslow County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 8,527 students in Onslow County Schools School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Onslow County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Onslow County School School District have a Graduation Rate of 91%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Jacksonville High School, with 95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
39 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
27,592 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
1,725 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Onslow County Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#186 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)46%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)88%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.64
0.70
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
18%
20%
% Black
16%
24%
% White
55%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,765 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,626 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$297 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$321 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,765
$11,187
Spending / Student
$11,626
$11,612
Best Onslow County Schools School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,192 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,187 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,449 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,226 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,043 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: K-12 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #77.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 685 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,074 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
444 Western Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 938-6702
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 938-6702
Gr: 9-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
