Top Rankings
Carteret County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 2,671 students in Carteret County School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Carteret County School District have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Carteret County School District have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Croatan High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
17 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
8,035 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
585 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
District Rank
Carteret County School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#64 out of 325 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
51%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
50%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
63%

Graduation Rate
86%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.70
# American Indian Students
21 Students
5,772 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
80 Students
21,293 Students
% Asian Students
1%
4%
# Hispanic Students
856 Students
115,235 Students
% Hispanic Students
11%
20%
# Black Students
364 Students
138,700 Students
% Black Students
5%
24%
# White Students
6,182 Students
254,801 Students
% White Students
77%
45%
# Hawaiian Students
24 Students
765 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
508 Students
30,969 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
109
491
# Students in K Grade:
473
6,922
# Students in 1st Grade:
539
6,949
# Students in 2nd Grade:
509
7,207
# Students in 3rd Grade:
544
7,125
# Students in 4th Grade:
545
7,196
# Students in 5th Grade:
590
7,763
# Students in 6th Grade:
700
11,146
# Students in 7th Grade:
664
12,024
# Students in 8th Grade:
698
12,284
# Students in 9th Grade:
698
137,976
# Students in 10th Grade:
713
126,349
# Students in 11th Grade:
688
117,582
# Students in 12th Grade:
565
104,750
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,769 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,764 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$95 MM
$17,307 MM

Spending
$95 MM
$17,964 MM

Revenue / Student
$11,769
$11,187

Spending / Student
$11,764
$11,612

Best Carteret County School District Public High Schools (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.
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: #44.
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
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.