Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.1%
Math vs. State Avg+4.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,680

Carolina Forest Elementary — Students at Carolina Forest Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
43%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
67.9%
ELA
65.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in NC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (770/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Onslow County Schools
District Enrollment
27,592
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,056
District Rank
#2 of 39

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.