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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carteret County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 7,451 students in Carteret County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 456 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Carteret County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Carteret County, NC are Croatan High School, West Carteret High School and Broad Creek Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carteret County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Carteret County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Carteret County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Croatan High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1 Cougar Ln
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-7022
Gr: 9-12 | 1,019 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
West Carteret High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4700 Country Club Rd
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1176
Gr: 8-12 | 1,095 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Broad Creek Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2382 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Gr: 6-8 | 722 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Tiller School
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1950 Live Oak Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Gr: K-5 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
Atlantic Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
151 School Dr
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Gr: PK-5 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Bogue Sound Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3323 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
East Carteret High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3263 Hwy 70 E
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3514
Gr: 9-12 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #88.
Morehead City Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Barbour Rd
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Gr: 6-8 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #99.
Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
174 Marshallberg Rd
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Gr: PK-8 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1010.
Morehead City Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4409 Country Club Rd
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Gr: PK-3 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1111.
Harkers Island Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1163 Island Rd
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Gr: K-5 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1212.
Beaufort Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
110 Carraway Dr
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
Morehead Elementary At Camp Glenn
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3316 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1131
Gr: 4-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1414.
Newport Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
500 E Chatham St
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Gr: 6-8 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Beaufort Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 Carraway Dr
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Gr: 6-8 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1616.
Newport Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
219 Chatham St
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Gr: PK-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1717.
Bridges School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 36%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Carteret County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Carteret County, NC include Croatan High School, West Carteret High School and Broad Creek Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Carteret County?
17 public schools are located in Carteret County.
What percentage of students in Carteret County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Carteret County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carteret County?
Carteret County public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Carteret County are often viewed compared to one another?

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