For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,623 students in Northampton County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 217 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Northampton County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Northampton County, NC are Northampton Virtual Academy, Conway Middle School and Kipp Gaston College Preparatory. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Northampton County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Northampton County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Northampton County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northampton Virtual Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
701 N Church St
Jackson, NC 27845
(252) 585-1900
Jackson, NC 27845
(252) 585-1900
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
Conway Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
400 East Main Street
Conway, NC 27820
(252) 585-0312
Conway, NC 27820
(252) 585-0312
Gr: 4-8 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #33.
Kipp Gaston College Preparatory
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
320 Pleasant Hill Road
Gaston, NC 27832
(252) 308-6932
Gaston, NC 27832
(252) 308-6932
Gr: K-12 | 1,143 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #44.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
9742 Nc Hwy 305
Jackson, NC 27845
(252) 534-3381
Jackson, NC 27845
(252) 534-3381
Gr: PK-3 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #55.
Northampton County High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
152 Hurricane Drive
Gaston, NC 27832
(252) 537-1910
Gaston, NC 27832
(252) 537-1910
Gr: 9-12 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #66.
W A Pattillo Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 East Ave
Pleasant Hill, NC 27866
(252) 823-3812
Pleasant Hill, NC 27866
(252) 823-3812
Gr: 6-8 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Northampton County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Northampton County, NC include Northampton Virtual Academy, Conway Middle School and Kipp Gaston College Preparatory.
How many public schools are located in Northampton County?
7 public schools are located in Northampton County.
What percentage of students in Northampton County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Northampton County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Northampton County?
Northampton County public schools minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
