Below Average
#2122 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cape Hatteras Elementary School
Elementary School · Dare County Schools
PO Box 989, Buxton, NC 27920
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,122 of 2,648
In Buxton
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#10 of 10
Dare County Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Cape Hatteras Elementary School
Elementary School in Buxton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ocracoke School
26.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cape Hatteras Elementary School
Cape Hatteras Elementary School is a public elementary school in Buxton, NC, part of Dare County Schools. Cape Hatteras Elementary School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cape Hatteras Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,122 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cape Hatteras Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 6.0
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Cape Hatteras Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
37% of students at Cape Hatteras Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cape Hatteras Elementary School — Students at Cape Hatteras Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.
How Cape Hatteras Elementary School Compares
See how Cape Hatteras Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 989, Buxton, NC 27920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cape Hatteras Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cape Hatteras Secondary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ocracoke School (rated 6.7/10, 26.1 miles away, in nearby Ocracoke), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buxton, see our Buxton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
2 within 26.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Hatteras Secondary School Buxton | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Ocracoke School Ocracoke | 26.1 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,054
Median Home Value
$385,400
Median Rent
$1,295/mo
Population
1,451
College Educated
25.9%
Homeownership
75.7%
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
50.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 4.7 |
| Collettsville School Collettsville, NC | 4.7 |
| East Elementary Monroe, NC | 4.7 |
| Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington, NC | 4.7 |
| Glade Creek Elementary Ennice, NC | 4.7 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby, NC | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cape Hatteras Elementary School
What grades does Cape Hatteras Elementary School serve?
Cape Hatteras Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cape Hatteras Elementary School?
Cape Hatteras Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cape Hatteras Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cape Hatteras Elementary School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cape Hatteras Elementary School rank in NC?
Cape Hatteras Elementary School ranks #2,122 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cape Hatteras Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cape Hatteras Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cape Hatteras Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cape Hatteras Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cape Hatteras Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cape Hatteras Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cape Hatteras Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cape Hatteras Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cape Hatteras Elementary School?
55.6% of students at Cape Hatteras Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 306
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Dare County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (252) 995-6196
Resources & Links
District
Dare County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,102
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,996
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
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