Needs Improvement
#2421 of 2,648 schools in NC
J T Barber Elementary
Elementary School · Craven County Board of Education
1700 Cobb Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,421 of 2,648
In New Bern
#11 of 14
public schools
In district
#23 of 26
Craven County Board of Education
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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J T Barber Elementary
Elementary School in New Bern · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Oaks Road Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grover C Fields Middle
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About J T Barber Elementary
J T Barber Elementary is a public elementary school in New Bern, NC, part of Craven County Board of Education. J T Barber Elementary serves approximately 246 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. J T Barber Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,421 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for J T Barber Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at J T Barber Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
J T Barber Elementary — Students at J T Barber Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.0/10.
How J T Barber Elementary Compares
See how J T Barber Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1700 Cobb Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J T Barber Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pollocksville Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Pollocksville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Albert H Bangert Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Creekside Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Bern, see our New Bern schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oaks Road Academy New Bern | 0.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Grover C Fields Middle New Bern | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Trent Park Elementary New Bern | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES New Bern | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| H J MacDonald Middle New Bern | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Bern | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Craven Early College High New Bern | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Craven Virtual Academy New Bern | 2.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Bridgeton Elementary New Bern | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| New Bern High New Bern | 3.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| NEW BERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Bern | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Creekside Elementary New Bern | 6.8 mi | 8.4 |
| West Craven Middle New Bern | 8.4 mi | 2.8 |
| West Craven High Vanceboro | 9.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville | 12.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary Vanceboro | 13.9 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,142
Median Home Value
$191,600
Median Rent
$992/mo
Population
27,981
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
71.2%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.8%
Median Age
44.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| John W Dillard Academy Madison, NC | 3.8 |
| Liberty Drive Elementary Thomasville, NC | 3.8 |
| Micaville Elementary Micaville, NC | 3.8 |
| Movement School Southwest Charlotte, NC | 3.8 |
| Shady Brook Elementary Kannapolis, NC | 3.8 |
| Weldon Elementary Global Academy Weldon, NC | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J T Barber Elementary
What grades does J T Barber Elementary serve?
J T Barber Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend J T Barber Elementary?
J T Barber Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 246 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J T Barber Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J T Barber Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J T Barber Elementary rank in NC?
J T Barber Elementary ranks #2,421 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is J T Barber Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J T Barber Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at J T Barber Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, J T Barber Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is J T Barber Elementary a charter school?
No, J T Barber Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J T Barber Elementary a Title I school?
No, J T Barber Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J T Barber Elementary?
98.8% of students at J T Barber 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 246
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Craven County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.6%
- Phone
- (252) 514-6460
Resources & Links
District
Craven County Board of Education- District Enrollment
- 12,584
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,893
- District Rank
- #23 of 26
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