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Average

#1225 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 46% in state

East Carteret High

High School · Carteret County Public Schools

3263 Hwy 70 E, Beaufort, NC 28516

Enrollment

546

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Beaufort

#4 of 4

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#106 of 579

In district

#11 of 16

Carteret County Public Schools

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About East Carteret High

East Carteret High stands out as an exceptional public high school serving 546 students in grades 9-12 in Beaufort, North Carolina. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, this school ranks #51 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile—a remarkable achievement for any North Carolina high school. The school's academic performance is particularly strong, with 76% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics and 71% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading.

These results contribute to the school's outstanding 9.1 out of 10 academic score. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, East Carteret High maintains a favorable 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and support. The surrounding community in the 28516 ZIP code reflects a stable, working-class area with a median household income of $52,556 and median home values around $258,800.

About 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.8%. East Carteret High is situated in a rural setting near town, providing students with a close-knit educational environment while maintaining access to broader community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, East Carteret High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.6%
Math vs. State Avg+7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,086

East Carteret High — Students at East Carteret High score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 63.2%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
63%
ELA
70.6%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How East Carteret High Compares

See how East Carteret High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

3263 Hwy 70 E, Beaufort, NC 28516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Carteret High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Carteret High (rated 5.0/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Morehead City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Havelock High (rated 3.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Havelock), a more accessible option. For more schools in Beaufort, see our Beaufort schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Tiller School Beaufort 3.2 mi 6.7
Beaufort Middle Beaufort 3.6 mi 7.5
Beaufort Elementary Beaufort 3.7 mi 8.4
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Smyrna 6.1 mi 8.1
ST EGBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morehead City 6.8 mi 7.5
Harkers Island Elementary Harkers Island 7.5 mi 8.1
A SEA OF LEARNING Morehead City 7.2 mi 4.1
Morehead City Middle Morehead City 7.1 mi 6.5
Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn Morehead City 7.7 mi 7.2
Morehead City Primary Morehead City 8.9 mi 5.9
West Carteret High Morehead City 9.3 mi 5.0
Bridges School Morehead City 9.4 mi
CHOSEN GENERATION CHRIST. ACADEMY Morehead City 11.2 mi
Newport Elementary Newport 13.0 mi 8.3
Newport Middle Newport 13.1 mi 5.3
GRAMERCY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport 14.4 mi 7.4
NEWPORT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport 14.8 mi 5.2
Roger Bell New Tech Academy Havelock 15.7 mi 8.4
Havelock High Havelock 16.3 mi 3.7
Havelock Middle Havelock 16.5 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,257

Median Home Value

$292,300

Median Rent

$869/mo

Population

11,143

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

67.1%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

53.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Carteret High has a median household income of $63,257. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,300, with a median rent of $869/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Elkin High Elkin, NC 6.6
Murphy High Murphy, NC 6.6
Pamlico County High Bayboro, NC 6.6
Union County Early College Monroe, NC 6.6
Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve Trinity, NC 6.5
Warren County High Warrenton, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Carteret High

What grades does East Carteret High serve?

East Carteret High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend East Carteret High?

East Carteret High has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Carteret High?

The student-teacher ratio at East Carteret High is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Carteret High rank in NC?

East Carteret High is ranked #1225 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is East Carteret High's MySchoolScout rating?

East Carteret High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 East Carteret High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Carteret High has 67.3% math proficiency and 63.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Carteret High a charter school?

No, East Carteret High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is East Carteret High a Title I school?

No, East Carteret High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Carteret High?

47.4% of students at East Carteret High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,053/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Beaufort). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Carteret County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carteret County Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,035
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,846
District Rank
#11 of 16

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 methodology

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