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 6 public middle schools serving 2,169 students in Carteret County School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public middle schools in North Carolina.
Public Middle Schools in Carteret County School District have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
17 Schools
882 Schools
# Students
8,035 Students
494,023 Students
# Teachers
585 Teachers
31,644 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
0.71
# American Indian Students
21 Students
5,633 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
80 Students
19,933 Students
% Asian Students
1%
4%
# Hispanic Students
856 Students
98,873 Students
% Hispanic Students
11%
20%
# Black Students
364 Students
122,407 Students
% Black Students
5%
25%
# White Students
6,182 Students
215,701 Students
% White Students
77%
44%
# Hawaiian Students
24 Students
646 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
508 Students
30,848 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
109
1,882
# Students in K Grade:
473
16,660
# Students in 1st Grade:
539
16,806
# Students in 2nd Grade:
509
17,050
# Students in 3rd Grade:
544
16,530
# Students in 4th Grade:
545
16,849
# Students in 5th Grade:
590
19,618
# Students in 6th Grade:
700
111,560
# Students in 7th Grade:
664
116,793
# Students in 8th Grade:
698
119,029
# Students in 9th Grade:
698
12,380
# Students in 10th Grade:
713
10,877
# Students in 11th Grade:
688
9,420
# Students in 12th Grade:
565
8,569
# 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 Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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.