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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Craven County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public elementary schools serving 8,639 students in Craven County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Craven County, NC are W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School, Albert H Bangert Elementary School and Creekside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Craven County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Craven County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Craven County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
535 Hwy 70 W
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5150
Gr: K-5 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Albert H Bangert Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3712 Canterbury Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6415
Gr: K-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2790 Landscape Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-4360
Gr: K-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Tucker Creek Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
200 Sermons Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-7200
Gr: 6-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Grover C Fields Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2000 M L King Jr Boulevard
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6438
Gr: 6-8 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #66.
Brinson Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
319 Neuse Forest Avenue
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6431
Gr: K-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #77.
Craven Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3600 Trent Rd
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6353
Gr: 4-12 | 117 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Trent Park Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2500 Educational Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6481
Gr: K-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #99.
Arthur W Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
200 Education Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5140
Gr: K-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Ben D. Quinn Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4275 M L King Jr Boulevard
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6420
Gr: K-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Havelock Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 Cunningham Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5106
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1212.
Graham A Barden Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
200 Cedar Drive
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5100
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1313.
James W Smith Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Koonce Town Road
Cove City, NC 28523
(252) 514-6466
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1414.
H J Macdonald Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3127 Elizabeth Avenue
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6450
Gr: 6-8 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1515.
Vanceboro-farm Life Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 Farm Life Avenue
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3215
Gr: PK-5 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1616.
Havelock Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
102 Middle School Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5125
Gr: 6-8 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1717.
Roger Bell New Tech Academy
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
804 Fontana Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5133
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1818.
Bridgeton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
230 Branch Canal Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6425
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1919.
West Craven Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Nw Craven Mid School Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6488
Gr: 6-8 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2020.
J.t. Barber Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 Cobb Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6460
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2121.
Oaks Road Academy
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2811 Oaks Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6475
Gr: PK-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: n/an/a
Riverside Leadership Academy
Charter School
1955 Old Airport Rd
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 276-2150
Gr: K-7 | 374 students Minority enrollment: 41%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Craven County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Craven County, NC include W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School, Albert H Bangert Elementary School and Creekside Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Craven County?
21 public elementary schools are located in Craven County.
What is the racial composition of students in Craven County?
Craven County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Craven County are often viewed compared to one another?

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