Average
#1598 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
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,598 of 2,648
In Barco
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#8 of 10
Currituck County Schools
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in Barco · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Currituck County High
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Currituck County Middle
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Barco, NC, part of Currituck County Schools. Central Elementary serves approximately 261 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,598 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Central Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
504 Shortcut Road, Barco, NC 27917
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Water's Edge Village School (rated 9.3/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Corolla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grandy Primary (rated 9.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W T Griggs Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 5.9 |
| Currituck County Middle Barco | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| The JP Knapp ECH (i)School Currituck | 3.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Shawboro Elementary School Shawboro | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Knotts Island Elementary Knotts Island | 9.9 mi | 6.9 |
| W T Griggs Elementary Poplar Branch | 10.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Camden Middle Camden | 9.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Camden County High Camden | 10.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Camden Early College High Camden | 10.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Water's Edge Village School Corolla | 9.9 mi | 9.3 |
| Grandy Primary Camden | 10.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Camden Intermediate Camden | 10.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Moyock Middle Moyock | 11.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Moyock Elementary Moyock | 13.1 mi | 6.1 |
| River Road Middle Elizabeth City | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College Elizabeth City | 12.6 mi | 6.2 |
| J C Sawyer Elementary Elizabeth City | 13.2 mi | 4.9 |
| H L Trigg Community Elizabeth City | 13.4 mi | 2.7 |
| Sheep-Harney Elementary Elizabeth City | 13.4 mi | 7.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| C C Wright Elementary School North Wilkesboro, NC | 5.8 |
| Deep Branch Elementary Lumberton, NC | 5.8 |
| Julius I Foust Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.8 |
| Norwood Elementary Norwood, NC | 5.8 |
| Riverview Elementary Murfreesboro, NC | 5.8 |
| Stedman Primary Stedman, NC | 5.8 |
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 ranks #1,598 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.4%
- Phone
- (252) 453-0010
Resources & Links
District
Currituck County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,554
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,078
- District Rank
- #8 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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