For the 2025-26 school year, there are 14 public elementary schools serving 4,793 students in Carteret County, NC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Carteret County, NC are Broad Creek Middle School, Tiller School and Atlantic Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carteret County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Carteret County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Carteret County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 6-8 | 751 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: K-5 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: PK-8 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
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
Gr: PK-3 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: K-5 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #99.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1010.
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
Gr: 4-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
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
Gr: K-5 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Carteret County 51爆料s (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Bridges Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1108 Bridges Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 808-3040
Gr: PK-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
1108 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1601
Gr: 9-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
3505 Arendell St
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-7990
Gr: 12-13 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Carteret County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Carteret County, NC include Broad Creek Middle School, Tiller School and Atlantic Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Carteret County?
14 public elementary schools are located in Carteret County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carteret County?
Carteret County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Carteret County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Carteret County include: Newport Middle School vs. Broad Creek Middle School, Harkers Island Elementary School vs. Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School, Broad Creek Middle School vs. Newport Middle School
Recent Articles

10 Advantages of Public Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.

COVID-19鈥檚 Lasting Impact on U.S. 51爆料s (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.