Average
#1827 of 2,648 schools in NC
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Currituck County Schools
504 Shortcut Road, Barco, NC 27917
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Barco
#2 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,221 of 1,474
In district
#9 of 10
Currituck County Schools
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school located in the rural community of Barco, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-K through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 261 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. Central Elementary's staff includes 16 full-time equivalent teachers who work to provide a supportive learning environment.
Academically, the school is ranked at #1815 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina and has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5/10 with an academic score of 5.3/10. The ELA/reading proficiency rate for Central Elementary students is around 50%, while the math proficiency rate stands at 52%. These scores suggest there is room for improvement in overall student achievement.
Central Elementary sits in a rural area where close-knit community ties are strong, providing a supportive setting for both students and teachers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Central Elementary 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
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: 5.6/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 55.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 50.9% (2025).
Location
504 Shortcut Road, Barco, NC 27917
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Knotts Island Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Knotts Island), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grandy Primary (rated 9.1/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W T Griggs Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Poplar Branch), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Barco, see our Barco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Currituck County High Barco | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Currituck County Middle Barco | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| The JP Knapp ECH (i)School Currituck | 3.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Shawboro Elementary School Shawboro | 5.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Knotts Island Elementary Knotts Island | 9.9 mi | 9.3 |
| W T Griggs Elementary Poplar Branch | 10.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Camden Middle Camden | 9.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Camden County High Camden | 10.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Camden Early College High Camden | 10.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Water's Edge Village School Corolla | 9.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Grandy Primary Camden | 10.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Camden Intermediate Camden | 10.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Moyock Middle Moyock | 11.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Moyock Elementary Moyock | 13.1 mi | 7.3 |
| River Road Middle Elizabeth City | 13.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College Elizabeth City | 12.6 mi | 7.6 |
| J C Sawyer Elementary Elizabeth City | 13.2 mi | 7.9 |
| H L Trigg Community Elizabeth City | 13.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Sheep-Harney Elementary Elizabeth City | 13.4 mi | 7.2 |
| JARVISBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jarvisburg | 15.3 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27917 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Rent
$1,024/mo
Population
759
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
36.9%
Poverty Rate
55.6%
Median Age
25.8
Community Profile
It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 55.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Angier Elementary Angier, NC | 5.6 |
| B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC | 5.6 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton, NC | 5.6 |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton, NC | 5.6 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 5.6 |
| Tillery Charter Academy Biscoe, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in NC?
Central Elementary is ranked #1827 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 51.9% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
42.9% of students at Central 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 261
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Currituck County
- Phone
- (252) 453-0010
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Currituck County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,554
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,078
- District Rank
- #9 of 10
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
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.