Top 10 Best Craven County Public Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 12,693 students in Craven County, NC (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,350 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 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Craven County (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
535 Hwy 70 W
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5150
Grades: K-5
| 373 students
Rank: #22.
Craven Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 637-5706
Grades: 9-13
| 193 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Albert H Bangert Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3712 Canterbury Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6415
Grades: K-5
| 421 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Creekside Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2790 Landscape Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-4360
Grades: K-5
| 496 students
Rank: #55.
Tucker Creek Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
200 Sermons Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-7200
Grades: 6-8
| 519 students
Rank: #66.
Havelock High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Webb Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5112
Grades: 9-12
| 1,104 students
Rank: #77.
Early College East High School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
104 Middle School Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5194
Grades: 9-13
| 174 students
Rank: #88.
Grover C Fields Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2000 M L King Jr Boulevard
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6438
Grades: 6-8
| 509 students
Rank: #99.
Brinson Memorial Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
319 Neuse Forest Avenue
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6431
Grades: K-5
| 453 students
Rank: #1010.
Craven Virtual Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1319 Commerce Dr
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 497-2250
Grades: 3-12
| 111 students
Rank: #1111.
Trent Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2500 Educational Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6481
Grades: K-5
| 389 students
Rank: #1212.
Arthur W Edwards Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
200 Education Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5140
Grades: K-5
| 533 students
Rank: #1313.
New Bern High School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4200 Academic Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,631 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Ben D Quinn Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4275 M L King Jr Boulevard
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6420
Grades: PK-5
| 367 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Havelock Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 Cunningham Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5106
Grades: PK-5
| 272 students
Rank: #1616.
Graham A Barden Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
200 Cedar Drive
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5100
Grades: PK-5
| 241 students
Rank: #1717.
James W Smith Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Koonce Town Road
Cove City, NC 28523
(252) 514-6466
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Rank: #1818.
West Craven High School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Streets Ferry Road
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3200
Grades: 9-12
| 860 students
Rank: #1919.
H J Macdonald Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3127 Elizabeth Avenue
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6450
Grades: 6-8
| 712 students
Rank: #2020.
Vanceboro-farm Life Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 Farm Life Avenue
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3215
Grades: PK-5
| 471 students
Rank: #2121.
Havelock Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
102 Middle School Lane
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5125
Grades: 6-8
| 395 students
Rank: #2222.
Roger Bell New Tech Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
804 Fontana Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5133
Grades: PK-5
| 408 students
Rank: #2323.
Bridgeton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
230 Branch Canal Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6425
Grades: PK-5
| 375 students
Rank: #2424.
West Craven Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Nw Craven Mid School Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 514-6488
Grades: 6-8
| 673 students
Rank: #2525.
J T Barber Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 Cobb Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6460
Grades: PK-5
| 284 students
Rank: #2626.
Oaks Road Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2811 Oaks Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6475
Grades: PK-5
| 387 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?
26 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 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Craven County are often viewed compared to one another?

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