West Carteret High School is a public secondary school located in Morehead City, North Carolina on Country Club Road, and is part of the Carteret County Public Schools system. The school serves the student populations of Morehead City, Newport, Atlantic Beach, and surrounding areas.
Serving 1,095 students in grades 8-12, West Carteret High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 80-84% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 8-12
- Enrollment: 1,095 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
- Minority Enrollment: 30%
- Graduation Rate: 80% (Btm 50% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 80-84% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 68% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 74% (Top 30%)
- Attendance Zone: West Carteret High serves the southwest part of Morehead City, NC, covering an area of approximately 173.2 square miles. Most families can expect a typical drive of 10 to 15 minutes to reach the school, with the farthest edge of the zone located about 11.9 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Carteret High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
West Carteret High School's student population of 1,095 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 47 teachers has declined by 35% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 8-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,095 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
47 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1964
School Calendar
Campus Size
20 acres
School Motto
Loyale Devoir
School Rankings
West Carteret High School ranks within the top 10% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Carteret High School is 0.49, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#220 out of 2617 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)80-84%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
14%
22%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Black
7%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
70%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
7%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
80%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)28%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
99%
72%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
1%
Showing 2014–2024. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Red, White, and Blue
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Carteret High School's ranking?
West Carteret High School is ranked #220 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are West Carteret High School often compared to?
West Carteret High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Croatan High School, East Carteret High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
80-84% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Carteret High School?
The graduation rate of West Carteret High School is 80%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86.5%.
How many students attend West Carteret High School?
1,095 students attend West Carteret High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
70% of West Carteret High School students are White, 14% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of West Carteret High School?
West Carteret High School has a student ration of 23:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does West Carteret High School offer ?
West Carteret High School offers enrollment in grades 8-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is West Carteret High School part of?
West Carteret High School is part of Carteret County School District.
School Reviews
Review West Carteret High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
