Excellent
#121 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
Carolina Beach Elementary
Elementary School · New Hanover County Schools
400 South 4th St, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#108 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Carolina Beach Elementary
Carolina Beach Elementary is a public elementary school in Carolina Beach, NC, part of the New Hanover County Schools. The school serves approximately 432 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 95.5th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 14 points above the state average and 71% in reading/language arts, 19 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $87,670, where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Carolina Beach Elementary — Students at Carolina Beach Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Carolina Beach Elementary Compares
See how Carolina Beach Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 82% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 76.6% (2025).
Location
400 South 4th St, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carolina Beach Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwin A Anderson Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pine Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Heyward C Bellamy Elem (rated 8.1/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Carolina Beach, see our Carolina Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edwin A Anderson Elementary Wilmington | 4.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Eugene Ashley High Wilmington | 4.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Charles P Murray Middle Wilmington | 4.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Island Montessori Charter School Wilmington | 5.3 mi | 5.4 |
| WILMINGTON ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCES Wilmington | 6.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Heyward C Bellamy Elem Wilmington | 6.4 mi | 8.1 |
| INNOVATIVE ACADEMY Wilmington | 7.1 mi | — |
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Wilmington | 7.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle Wilmington | 7.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Mary C Williams Elementary Wilmington | 7.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington | 9.4 mi | 6.8 |
| CAPE FEAR ACADEMY Wilmington | 9.6 mi | 6.1 |
| NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilmington | 9.9 mi | 3.7 |
| South Brunswick High Southport | 8.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Pine Valley Elementary Wilmington | 10.2 mi | 8.2 |
| WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| South Brunswick Middle Southport | 8.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Masonboro Elementary Wilmington | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| J. C. Roe Center Wilmington | 10.9 mi | — |
| Holly Tree Elementary Wilmington | 11.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28428 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,670
Median Home Value
$490,100
Median Rent
$1,515/mo
Population
7,034
College Educated
47.6%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
51.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carolina Beach Elementary has a median household income of $87,670. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $490,100, with a median rent of $1,515/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| B O Barnes Elementary Wilson, NC | 8.8 |
| Badin Elementary Badin, NC | 8.8 |
| Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids, NC | 8.8 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby, NC | 8.8 |
| Carver Elementary Mount Olive, NC | 8.8 |
| Cool Spring Elementary Cleveland, NC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carolina Beach Elementary
What grades does Carolina Beach Elementary serve?
Carolina Beach Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Carolina Beach Elementary?
Carolina Beach Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 432 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carolina Beach Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carolina Beach Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carolina Beach Elementary rank in NC?
Carolina Beach Elementary is ranked #121 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Carolina Beach Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carolina Beach Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Carolina Beach Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carolina Beach Elementary has 73.4% math proficiency and 71.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carolina Beach Elementary a charter school?
No, Carolina Beach Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carolina Beach Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carolina Beach Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carolina Beach Elementary?
33.3% of students at Carolina Beach Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carolina Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 432
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 458-4340
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Hanover County Schools- District Enrollment
- 25,028
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,808
- District Rank
- #4 of 41
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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