Average
#1772 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
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buxton
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,197 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 10
Dare County Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Cape Hatteras Elementary School
Cape Hatteras Elementary School is nestled in the remote rural setting of Buxton, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, this regular public school offers a close-knit community with an enrollment of 306 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, ensuring personalized attention for each child. The school's dedicated staff includes 31 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Cape Hatteras Elementary School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks 39th percentile among schools in North Carolina at #1631 out of 2661. Students perform slightly above the average with 46% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 51% proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for continued academic growth. The school's remote location offers a unique learning environment surrounded by nature and small-town charm.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School focuses on fostering strong relationships between students, teachers, and families to support student development and success.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Cape Hatteras Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Cape Hatteras Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cape Hatteras Elementary School — Students at Cape Hatteras Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.0/10.
How Cape Hatteras Elementary School Compares
See how Cape Hatteras Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 55.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 46.2% (2025).
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. Ocracoke School (rated 6.8/10, 26.1 miles away, in nearby Ocracoke), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cape Hatteras Secondary School (rated 5.6/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.6 |
| Ocracoke School Ocracoke | 26.1 mi | 6.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cape Hatteras Elementary School has a median household income of $67,054. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,400, with a median rent of $1,295/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clement Elementary Autryville, NC | 5.7 |
| Fairview Elementary Rocky Mount, NC | 5.7 |
| Long Mill Elementary Youngsville, NC | 5.7 |
| McLeansville Elementary Mcleansville, NC | 5.7 |
| Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy Charlotte, NC | 5.7 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greensboro, NC | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #1772 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cape Hatteras Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cape Hatteras Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cape Hatteras Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cape Hatteras Elementary School has 51.3% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (559/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (252) 995-6196
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dare County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,102
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,996
- District Rank
- #8 of 10
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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