Very Good
#527 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 20% in state
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary
Elementary School · Carteret County Public Schools
174 Marshallberg Road, Smyrna, NC 28579
Enrollment
248
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
248
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#527 of 2,648
In district
#7 of 16
Carteret County Public Schools
School environment
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary
Elementary School in Smyrna · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Harkers Island Elementary
4.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
East Carteret High
6.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is a public elementary school in Smyrna, NC, part of Carteret County Public Schools. Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary serves approximately 248 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #527 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 7.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Down East Middle and Smyrna 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
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary — Students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 42 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: 7.6/10.
How Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Compares
See how Down East Middle and Smyrna 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
174 Marshallberg Road, Smyrna, NC 28579
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Atlantic Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Atlantic), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morehead City Primary (rated 8.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Morehead City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Beaufort Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Smyrna, see our Smyrna schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harkers Island Elementary Harkers Island | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| East Carteret High Beaufort | 6.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Tiller School Beaufort | 6.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort | 7.0 mi | 8.0 |
| ST EGBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morehead City | 11.5 mi | 7.5 |
| A SEA OF LEARNING Morehead City | 12.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Morehead City Middle Morehead City | 12.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn Morehead City | 12.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Atlantic Elementary Atlantic | 13.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Morehead City Primary Morehead City | 14.2 mi | 8.1 |
| West Carteret High Morehead City | 14.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Bridges School Morehead City | 14.9 mi | — |
| CHOSEN GENERATION CHRIST. ACADEMY Morehead City | 16.8 mi | — |
| Newport Elementary Newport | 18.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Newport Middle Newport | 18.9 mi | 6.2 |
| GRAMERCY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport | 20.5 mi | 7.4 |
| NEWPORT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport | 20.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Roger Bell New Tech Academy Havelock | 21.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Havelock High Havelock | 22.4 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,139
Median Home Value
$416,000
Population
652
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
91.4%
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
53.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dobson Elementary Dobson, NC | 7.8 |
| GREENSBORO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Greensboro, NC | 7.8 |
| Greene County Intermediate Snow Hill, NC | 7.8 |
| James W Smith Elementary Cove City, NC | 7.8 |
| Laurel Mill Elementary Louisburg, NC | 7.8 |
| Olds Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary
What grades does Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary serve?
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary?
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 248 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary rank in NC?
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary ranks #527 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary a charter school?
No, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary a Title I school?
No, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary?
44.8% of students at Down East Middle and Smyrna 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 248
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Carteret County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.0%
- Phone
- (252) 729-2301
Resources & Links
District
Carteret County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,035
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,846
- District Rank
- #7 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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