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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.9%
Math vs. State Avg+1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,086

Harkers Island Elementary — Students at Harkers Island Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.7%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 70.1%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 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
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2025
Math
66.4%
ELA
75.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in NC
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (586/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carteret County Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,035
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,846
District Rank
#4 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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