Very Good
#628 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 24% in state
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
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Bern
#5 of 14
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#543 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 26
Craven County Board of Education
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About J T Barber Elementary
J T Barber Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in New Bern, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 246 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0/10 and state ranking of #1615 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (39th percentile), J T Barber Elementary is focusing on student development, with an academic score of 2.7/10 and proficiency rates in ELA and Math at around 32% each.
Located in a town setting, the school benefits from being part of a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners. J T Barber Elementary is situated on Cobb Street, offering students a welcoming atmosphere for their formative years.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at J T Barber Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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J T Barber Elementary — Students at J T Barber Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 9.2/10.
How J T Barber Elementary Compares
See how J T Barber Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 39.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 35.8% (2025).
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 9.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Pollocksville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brinson Memorial Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Creekside Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.5 |
| Grover C Fields Middle New Bern | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Trent Park Elementary New Bern | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES New Bern | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| H J MacDonald Middle New Bern | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Bern | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Craven Early College High New Bern | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Craven Virtual Academy New Bern | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Bridgeton Elementary New Bern | 2.8 mi | 8.0 |
| New Bern High New Bern | 3.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern | 4.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| NEW BERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Bern | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Creekside Elementary New Bern | 6.8 mi | 8.2 |
| West Craven Middle New Bern | 8.4 mi | 4.9 |
| West Craven High Vanceboro | 9.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville | 12.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary Vanceboro | 13.9 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding J T Barber Elementary has a median household income of $62,142. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,600, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte, NC | 7.7 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston, NC | 7.7 |
| Colerain Elementary Colerain, NC | 7.7 |
| E M Yoder Elementary Mebane, NC | 7.7 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham, NC | 7.7 |
| Germanton Elementary School Germanton, NC | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #628 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is J T Barber Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J T Barber Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 J T Barber Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J T Barber Elementary has 30.8% math proficiency and 31.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Bern). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (252) 514-6460
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Craven County Board of Education- District Enrollment
- 12,584
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,893
- District Rank
- #7 of 26
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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