For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 6,185 students in Beaufort County, NC (there are 4 private schools, serving 555 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Beaufort County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Beaufort County, NC are Beaufort Co Early College High School, Chocowinity Primary and Bath Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Beaufort County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Beaufort County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Beaufort County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Beaufort Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5337 Hwy 264 East, Building 10
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Grades: 9-13
| 246 students
Rank: #22.
Chocowinity Primary
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
606 Gray Road
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-3881
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-3881
Grades: PK-4
| 471 students
Rank: #33.
Bath Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 S King Street
Bath, NC 27808
(252) 923-3251
Bath, NC 27808
(252) 923-3251
Grades: K-8
| 512 students
Rank: #44.
Washington Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2330 Old Bath Hwy
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1977
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1977
Grades: K-12
| 413 students
Rank: #55.
Southside High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5700 Hwy 33 East
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 940-1881
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 940-1881
Grades: 9-12
| 433 students
Rank: #66.
Northside High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7868 Free Union Church Road
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6341
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6341
Grades: 9-12
| 393 students
Rank: #77.
Chocowinity Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3831 Us Hwy 17 S
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-6191
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-6191
Grades: 5-8
| 386 students
Rank: #88.
Washington High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Slatestone Road
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0858
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0858
Grades: 9-12
| 859 students
Rank: #99.
P S Jones Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4105 N Market Street Ext
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0874
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0874
Grades: 6-8
| 690 students
Rank: #1010.
John C Tayloe Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
910 Tarboro Street
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3350
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3350
Grades: 2-3
| 348 students
Rank: #1111.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
21000 Us Hwy 264 East
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6545
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6545
Grades: PK-8
| 379 students
Rank: #1212.
John Small Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4103 North Market Street Ext
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3941
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3941
Grades: 4-5
| 395 students
Rank: #1313.
S W Snowden Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
693 North 7th Street
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-5351
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-5351
Grades: PK-8
| 168 students
Rank: n/an/a
947 Hudnell Street
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1611
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1611
Grades: PK-1
| 492 students
Beaufort County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
693 North 7th Street
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-4524
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-4524
Grades: 6-8
| 101 students
b c Educational tech center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5700 Nc Highway 33 East
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-5382
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-5382
Grades: 6-12
| 39 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Beaufort County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Beaufort County, NC include Beaufort Co Early College High School, Chocowinity Primary and Bath Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Beaufort County?
14 public schools are located in Beaufort County.
What percentage of students in Beaufort County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Beaufort County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Beaufort County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Beaufort County include: Northeast Elementary School vs. Bath Elementary School, Southside High School vs. Northside High School, Northside High School vs. Southside High School
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