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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Bern Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 7,183 students in New Bern, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 1,043 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in New Bern, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in New Bern, NC are Craven Early College High 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.
New Bern, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in New Bern have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in New Bern, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Craven Early College High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 637-5706
Gr: 9-13 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
New Bern High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4200 Academic Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,637 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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 schools in New Bern, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in New Bern, NC include Craven Early College High School, Albert H Bangert Elementary School and Creekside Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in New Bern?
15 public schools are located in New Bern.
What percentage of students in New Bern go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in New Bern are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Bern?
New Bern public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in New Bern are often viewed compared to one another?

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