For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 7,451 students in Carteret County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 613 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Carteret County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Carteret County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Croatan High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Cougar Lane
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-7022
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-7022
Grades: 9-12
| 1,015 students
Rank: #22.
West Carteret High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4700 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1176
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1176
Grades: 9-12
| 1,097 students
Rank: #33.
Broad Creek Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2382 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #44.
Tiller School
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1950 Live Oak Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-1995
Grades: K-5
| 201 students
Rank: #55.
Atlantic Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
151 School Drive
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Atlantic, NC 28511
(252) 225-3961
Grades: PK-5
| 91 students
Rank: #66.
Bogue Sound Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3323 Highway 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 393-1279
Grades: PK-5
| 449 students
Rank: #77.
East Carteret High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3263 Hwy 70 E
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3514
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3514
Grades: 9-12
| 546 students
Rank: #88.
Morehead City Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Barbour Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Grades: 6-8
| 524 students
Rank: #99.
Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
174 Marshallberg Road
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Grades: PK-8
| 248 students
Rank: #1010.
Morehead City Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4409 Country Club Road
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2448
Grades: PK-3
| 517 students
Rank: #1111.
Harkers Island Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1163 Island Road
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Harkers Island, NC 28531
(252) 728-3755
Grades: K-5
| 111 students
Rank: #1212.
Beaufort Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3316
Grades: PK-5
| 367 students
Rank: #1313.
Morehead Elementary At Camp Glenn
(Math: 59% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3316 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1131
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1131
Grades: 4-5
| 255 students
Rank: #1414.
Newport Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 E Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Grades: 6-8
| 377 students
Rank: #1515.
Beaufort Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Carraway Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Grades: 6-8
| 256 students
Rank: #1616.
Newport Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
219 Chatham Street
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-4201
Grades: K-5
| 633 students
Rank: #1717.
Bridges School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Grades: 6-12
| 13 students
Carteret County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Bridges Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1108 Bridges Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Grades: PK-12
| 68 students
1108 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Grades: 9-12
| 43 students
3505 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Grades: 12-13
| 48 students
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?
92% of all K-12 students in Carteret County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Carteret County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carteret County include: Newport Middle School vs. Broad Creek Middle School, Croatan High School vs. West Carteret High School, Broad Creek Middle School vs. Newport Middle School
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