Best Schools in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
19 schools · 8 Elementary · 2 Middle · 5 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Elizabeth City?
Use this page to compare every school in Elizabeth City 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.
Pasquotank Elementary
Elementary · Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
J C Sawyer Elementary
Elementary · Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Weeksville Elementary
Elementary · Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Elizabeth City for 2026 are Pasquotank Elementary (8.7/10), J C Sawyer Elementary (8.5/10), and Weeksville Elementary (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 14 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
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$223,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$223,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.7/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Elizabeth City schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +29.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Elizabeth City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Elizabeth City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 14 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pasquotank Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | J C Sawyer Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Weeksville Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Central Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College | 7.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Northeastern High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Elizabeth City Middle | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Pasquotank County High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 9 | River Road Middle | 6.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Northside Elementary | 5.8 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $64,039
- Median home value
- $223,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
28% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Elizabeth City compares
North Carolina rank
#148 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$64k
94% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
18
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools runs Elizabeth City's public schools
14 public schools. Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Elizabeth City is a Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools school (13 of 14).
Among 14 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.1 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Elizabeth City, not a citywide average.
- Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools13 public · 93%
- Northeast Academy of Aerospace & Advtech1 public · 7%
About Schools in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City's public school system spans 14 ranked schools, covering elementary, middle, and high school options across this northeastern North Carolina city. The system averages 6.8 out of 10 across all ranked schools — a baseline that reflects real range between the city's strongest and weakest performers.
That range skews positive at the top. Weeksville Elementary earns a 9.0 out of 10, the highest score in the city by a clear margin. Six of the 14 ranked schools — 43% — score 7.0 or above, meaning strong options exist across multiple grade levels. Elizabeth City Middle earns an 8.0, a standout score for a middle school. J C Sawyer Elementary (7.9) and Sheep-Harney Elementary (7.6) give families competitive elementary alternatives beyond Weeksville. Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College rounds out the top five with a 7.6 — the city's top-ranked high school, built around a dual-enrollment track that earns students post-secondary credit before graduation.
For parents choosing at the elementary level, the city offers genuine competition. Three elementary schools score between 7.6 and 9.0 — a range that is meaningful but not dramatic. Weeksville leads, while J C Sawyer and Sheep-Harney are close enough to factor seriously into any zone-based decision. The middle school picture is simpler: Elizabeth City Middle is the clear standout. At the high school level, the Early College program is the most distinctive option available, best suited to academically motivated students who want a structured pathway toward college credit.
Families relocating to Elizabeth City should research school zones before committing to a neighborhood. With 43% of schools scoring 7.0 or above, the district has real strengths — but those strengths are not evenly distributed. Elementary placement is largely determined by home address, which makes address-level research as important as any district-wide comparison. Parents targeting Weeksville or one of the other top-rated elementaries should verify zone boundaries early in the housing search.
Elementary Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 254 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 372 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 3 | 216 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 4 | 328 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 5 | 411 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 337 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 7 | 468 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 59 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 472 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 428 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 113 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 666 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 616 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 4 | 761 students · 5th–12th | 5.4 |
| 5 | 38 students · 6th–12th | 4.1 |
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victory Christian SchoolPrivate 166 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Albemarle SchoolPrivate 236 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | New Life AcademyPrivate 281 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 4 | Tutor All SchoolPrivate 23 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated |
Schools in Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City, North Carolina · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$64,039
Median Home Value
$223,400
Median Rent
$1,146/mo
Population
40,878
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Community Profile
Elizabeth City has a median household income of $64,039. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,400, with a median rent of $1,146/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 5
- Other
- 4
Resources
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 Elizabeth City, North Carolina
How many schools are in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
Elizabeth City has 19 schools, including 14 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Elizabeth City is 6.1 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 Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Elizabeth City on MySchoolScout is Pasquotank Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Elizabeth City on MySchoolScout is Pasquotank Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Elizabeth City on MySchoolScout is Elizabeth City Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Elizabeth City on MySchoolScout is Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
Elizabeth City is served by 2 school districts: Northeast Academy of Aerospace & Advtech, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools.
What is the education level in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in Elizabeth City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The median household income in Elizabeth City is approximately $64,039 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
Yes, Elizabeth City has 5 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Victory Christian School with a score of 5.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Elizabeth City is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Elizabeth City, 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.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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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.