For the 2025 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 12,507 students in Craven County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 1,334 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Craven County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Craven County, NC are W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School, Craven Early College High School and Albert H Bangert Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Craven 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 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Craven County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 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 Craven County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
535 Hwy 70 W
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5150
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5150
Grades: K-5
| 350 students
Rank: #22.
Craven Early College High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 637-5706
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 637-5706
Grades: 9-13
| 183 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Albert H Bangert Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3712 Canterbury Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6415
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6415
Grades: K-5
| 456 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2790 Landscape Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-4360
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-4360
Grades: K-5
| 512 students
Rank: #55.
Tucker Creek Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 Sermons Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-7200
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-7200
Grades: 6-8
| 517 students
Rank: #66.
Havelock High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
101 Webb Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5112
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5112
Grades: 9-12
| 1,063 students
Rank: #77.
Early College East High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
104 Middle School Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5194
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5194
Grades: 9-13
| 169 students
Rank: #88.
Grover C Fields Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2000 M L King Jr Boulevard
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6438
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6438
Grades: 6-8
| 552 students
Rank: #99.
Brinson Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
319 Neuse Forest Avenue
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6431
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6431
Grades: K-5
| 453 students
Rank: #1010.
Craven Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1319 Commerce Dr
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 497-2250
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 497-2250
Grades: 4-12
| 134 students
Rank: #1111.
Trent Park Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2500 Educational Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6481
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6481
Grades: K-5
| 360 students
Rank: #1212.
Arthur W Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Education Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5140
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5140
Grades: K-5
| 528 students
Rank: #1313.
New Bern High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4200 Academic Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6400
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,632 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Ben D Quinn Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4275 M L King Jr Boulevard
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6420
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6420
Grades: K-5
| 347 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Havelock Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Cunningham Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5106
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5106
Grades: PK-5
| 288 students
Rank: #1616.
Graham A Barden Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Cedar Drive
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5100
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5100
Grades: PK-5
| 226 students
Rank: #1717.
James W Smith Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
150 Koonce Town Road
Cove City, NC 28523
(252) 514-6466
Cove City, NC 28523
(252) 514-6466
Grades: PK-5
| 330 students
Rank: #1818.
West Craven High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Streets Ferry Road
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3200
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3200
Grades: 9-12
| 821 students
Rank: #1919.
H J Macdonald Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3127 Elizabeth Avenue
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6450
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6450
Grades: 6-8
| 695 students
Rank: #2020.
Vanceboro-farm Life Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2000 Farm Life Avenue
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3215
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3215
Grades: PK-5
| 457 students
Rank: #2121.
Havelock Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
102 Middle School Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5125
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5125
Grades: 6-8
| 374 students
Rank: #2222.
Roger Bell New Tech Academy
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
804 Fontana Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5133
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5133
Grades: PK-5
| 374 students
Rank: #2323.
Bridgeton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
230 Branch Canal Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6425
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6425
Grades: PK-5
| 428 students
Rank: #2424.
West Craven Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
515 Nw Craven Mid School Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6488
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6488
Grades: 6-8
| 645 students
Rank: #2525.
J T Barber Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1700 Cobb Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6460
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6460
Grades: PK-5
| 246 students
Rank: #2626.
Oaks Road Academy
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2811 Oaks Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6475
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6475
Grades: PK-5
| 367 students
Rank: n/an/a
Riverside Leadership Academy
Charter School
1955 Old Airport Rd
New Bern, NC 28562
(919) 807-3300
New Bern, NC 28562
(919) 807-3300
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Craven County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Craven County, NC include W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School, Craven Early College High School and Albert H Bangert Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Craven County?
27 public schools are located in Craven County.
What percentage of students in Craven County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Craven County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Craven County?
Craven 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 Craven County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Craven County include: Havelock Middle School vs. Tucker Creek Middle School, Havelock High School vs. New Bern High School, Early College East High School vs. Craven Early College High School
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