Best Schools in Carthage, North Carolina
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Carthage?
Use this page to compare every school in Carthage by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carthage Elementary
Elementary · Moore County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sandhills Farm Life Elementary
Elementary · Moore County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Crain's Creek Middle
Middle · Moore County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carthage for 2026 are Carthage Elementary (7.9/10), Sandhills Farm Life Elementary (7.1/10), and Crain's Creek Middle (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$299,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$299,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carthage
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carthage Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Sandhills Farm Life Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Crain's Creek Middle | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Fellowship Christian Academy | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $84,850
- Median home value
- $299,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carthage compares
North Carolina rank
#114 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$85k
125% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Carthage, North Carolina
Carthage, North Carolina is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Carthage show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carthage is Carthage Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carthage is served by 1 school district: Moore County Schools. These districts collectively serve 12,990 students.
Carthage's community shows 36% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $84,850. The poverty rate in the area is 8.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 358 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 378 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Fellowship Christian Academy
Private
72 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 496 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 76 students · 6th–12th | 4.9 |
Schools in Carthage
Carthage, North Carolina · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$84,850
Median Home Value
$299,500
Median Rent
$1,362/mo
Population
18,984
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Community Profile
Carthage has a median household income of $84,850. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,500, with a median rent of $1,362/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carthage, North Carolina
How many schools are in Carthage, North Carolina?
Carthage has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carthage, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carthage is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carthage, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carthage, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Carthage, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Crain's Creek Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Carthage, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney with a composite score of 4.9/10.
How many school districts serve Carthage, North Carolina?
Carthage is served by 1 school district: Moore County Schools.
What is the education level in Carthage, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Carthage have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carthage, North Carolina?
The median household income in Carthage is approximately $84,850 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carthage, North Carolina?
Yes, Carthage has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Fellowship Christian Academy with a score of 5.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carthage, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carthage is 13.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carthage, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.