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 · Smyrna, NC
A Carteret County Public Schools elementary school serving grades Pre-K – 8th.
174 Marshallberg Road, Smyrna, NC 28579
- Math 64% vs NC 57% (2025)
- Reading 67% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 11 points since 2020, reaching 65% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 61% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 63% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
44.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 18Car-Dependent
- Bike 37Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average586/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$100,139
Median home value
$416,000
College educated
22%
Homeownership
91.4%
Poverty rate
9.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28579; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harkers Island ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 7.3 | K–5 | 4.6 mi | 111 | Compare → |
| Atlantic ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 8.9 | PK–5 | Not available | 91 | Compare → |
| Beaufort ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 8.0 | PK–5 | Not available | 367 | Compare → |
| Bogue Sound ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 8.9 | PK–5 | Not available | 449 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Carteret County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 17
- Rank in district
- #7 of 16
- District spending per student
- $12,846NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 10.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is listed in Carteret County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
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, serving approximately 248 students in grades Pre-K-8th with a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #527 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 248
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Carteret County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.0%
- Phone
- (252) 729-2301
- Area population (ZIP 28579)
- 652
- Area median age
- 53.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28579; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.