Excellent
#385 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 15% in state
Harkers Island Elementary
Elementary School · Carteret County Public Schools
1163 Island Road, Harkers Island, NC 28531
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#347 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 16
Carteret County Public Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Harkers Island Elementary
Harkers Island Elementary serves 111 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the close-knit coastal community of Harkers Island, North Carolina. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 140th among North Carolina's 2,661 elementary schools, placing it in the 95th percentile statewide.
Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 75% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 66% meeting proficiency standards in Mathematics. The school serves a rural community where the median household income is $67,888 and median home values reach $264,300. About 22% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.9%.
The surrounding ZIP code has a small population of just over 1,100 residents, reflecting the intimate island setting. Harkers Island Elementary sits in North Carolina's Carteret County on Island Road, positioned in a rural coastal environment that offers students a unique educational experience surrounded by the natural beauty and maritime heritage of the Crystal Coast region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 111 students, Harkers Island Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Harkers Island 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
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Harkers Island Elementary — Students at Harkers Island Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 7.0/10.
How Harkers Island Elementary Compares
See how Harkers Island Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 64.5% (2019) to 65.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 73.9% (2025).
Location
1163 Island Road, Harkers Island, NC 28531
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harkers Island Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beaufort Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Roger Bell New Tech Academy (rated 8.4/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Havelock), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Newport Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Newport), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harkers Island, see our Harkers Island schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Smyrna | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Tiller School Beaufort | 5.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort | 5.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort | 5.9 mi | 8.4 |
| East Carteret High Beaufort | 7.5 mi | 6.6 |
| ST EGBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morehead City | 10.1 mi | 7.5 |
| A SEA OF LEARNING Morehead City | 10.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Morehead City Middle Morehead City | 11.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn Morehead City | 11.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Morehead City Primary Morehead City | 13.1 mi | 5.9 |
| West Carteret High Morehead City | 13.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Bridges School Morehead City | 13.8 mi | — |
| CHOSEN GENERATION CHRIST. ACADEMY Morehead City | 15.8 mi | — |
| Atlantic Elementary Atlantic | 17.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Newport Middle Newport | 18.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Newport Elementary Newport | 18.7 mi | 8.3 |
| GRAMERCY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport | 20.8 mi | 7.4 |
| NEWPORT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport | 20.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Broad Creek Middle Newport | 20.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Roger Bell New Tech Academy Havelock | 22.7 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28531 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,750
Median Home Value
$295,500
Median Rent
$968/mo
Population
1,080
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
84.2%
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
59.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harkers Island Elementary has a median household income of $58,750. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,500, with a median rent of $968/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville, NC | 8.1 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton, NC | 8.1 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia, NC | 8.1 |
| T C Henderson Lake Toxaway, NC | 8.1 |
| CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-NORTH RALEIGH Raleigh, NC | 8.0 |
| Creswell Elementary Creswell, NC | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harkers Island Elementary
What grades does Harkers Island Elementary serve?
Harkers Island Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Harkers Island Elementary?
Harkers Island Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 111 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harkers Island Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harkers Island Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harkers Island Elementary rank in NC?
Harkers Island Elementary is ranked #385 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Harkers Island Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harkers Island 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 Harkers Island Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harkers Island Elementary has 65.7% math proficiency and 70.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harkers Island Elementary a charter school?
No, Harkers Island Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harkers Island Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harkers Island Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harkers Island Elementary?
64.0% of students at Harkers Island 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 111
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Carteret County
- Phone
- (252) 728-3755
- 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
- #4 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
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