Excellent
#386 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 15% 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
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
248
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#348 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 16
Carteret County Public Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is a regular public school in Smyrna, North Carolina, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 248 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. The faculty consists of 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and development.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary scores a 6.5 out of 10 overall, with an academic score of 6.8/10, placing it at the 66th percentile among North Carolina schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 64% of students meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, while 61% are proficient or above in Math. The school is situated in a rural setting, offering a peaceful and supportive environment for learning.
With room for academic growth and a strong focus on student development, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary provides a nurturing atmosphere where children can thrive academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Down East Middle and Smyrna 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
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: 61%).
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 18 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: 8.0/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 58.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 62.3% (2025).
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. Beaufort Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Roger Bell New Tech Academy (rated 8.4/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Havelock), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Newport Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Newport), 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 | 8.1 |
| East Carteret High Beaufort | 6.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Tiller School Beaufort | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort | 6.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort | 7.0 mi | 8.4 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn Morehead City | 12.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Atlantic Elementary Atlantic | 13.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Morehead City Primary Morehead City | 14.2 mi | 5.9 |
| West Carteret High Morehead City | 14.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Bridges School Morehead City | 14.9 mi | — |
| CHOSEN GENERATION CHRIST. ACADEMY Morehead City | 16.8 mi | — |
| Newport Elementary Newport | 18.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Newport Middle Newport | 18.9 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 8.4 |
| Havelock High Havelock | 22.4 mi | 3.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has a median household income of $100,139. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $416,000. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake, NC | 8.1 |
| Beverly Hills Elementary Concord, NC | 8.1 |
| Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem, NC | 8.1 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin, NC | 8.1 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton, NC | 8.1 |
| Highland Mill Montessori Charlotte, NC | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #386 out 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 composite rating of 8.1 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 Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has 60.9% math proficiency and 64.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (252) 729-2301
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carteret County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,035
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,846
- District Rank
- #5 of 16
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.