Excellent
#457 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 17% in state
Carolina Forest Elementary
Elementary School · Onslow County Schools
141 Carolina Forest Boulevard, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Enrollment
631
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
631
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#1 of 26
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#409 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 39
Onslow County Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Carolina Forest Elementary
Carolina Forest Elementary serves 631 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Jacksonville, North Carolina, maintaining a manageable student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned solid recognition, ranking in the 75th percentile statewide at #671 out of 2661 North Carolina elementary schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. Academically, Carolina Forest Elementary demonstrates strong performance with 68% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 65% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading.
These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education across all grade levels. The school serves families in the 28546 area, where the median household income is $56,434 and median home values average $191,500. This community of nearly 48,000 residents has a poverty rate of 13.5%, with about one in four adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Carolina Forest Elementary is positioned in Jacksonville's small city environment, offering students an elementary education experience within Onslow County's supportive educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
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Carolina Forest Elementary — Students at Carolina Forest Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.4%
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: 8.7/10.
How Carolina Forest Elementary Compares
See how Carolina Forest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 68% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 65.1% (2025).
Location
141 Carolina Forest Boulevard, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carolina Forest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Clyde Erwin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northwoods Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Commons Elem Jacksonville | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Jacksonville Commons Middle Jacksonville | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Northside High Jacksonville | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 2.5 mi | 8.7 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL Jacksonville | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Northwoods Elementary Jacksonville | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Onslow Early College Jacksonville | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| SHILOH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | — |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Bell Fork Elementary Jacksonville | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,552
Median Home Value
$212,200
Median Rent
$1,174/mo
Population
48,122
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
55.9%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
28.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carolina Forest Elementary has a median household income of $60,552. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,200, with a median rent of $1,174/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Bridgeton Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.0 |
| Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 8.0 |
| Carver Elementary Wendell, NC | 8.0 |
| Claxton Elementary Asheville, NC | 8.0 |
| East Garner Elementary Garner, NC | 8.0 |
| East Robeson Primary Lumberton, NC | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carolina Forest Elementary
What grades does Carolina Forest Elementary serve?
Carolina Forest Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Carolina Forest Elementary?
Carolina Forest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 631 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carolina Forest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carolina Forest Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carolina Forest Elementary rank in NC?
Carolina Forest Elementary is ranked #457 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Carolina Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carolina Forest Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Forest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carolina Forest Elementary has 61.3% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carolina Forest Elementary a charter school?
No, Carolina Forest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carolina Forest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carolina Forest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carolina Forest Elementary?
49.4% of students at Carolina Forest 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 631
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Onslow County
- Phone
- (910) 346-1778
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #2 of 39
Other Schools in This District
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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