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
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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East Carteret High — Students at East Carteret High score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 6.0/10.
How East Carteret High Compares
See how East Carteret High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 63% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 70.6% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (252) 728-3514
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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