Average
#1292 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 49% in state
Nags Head Elementary School
Elementary School · Dare County Schools
3100 S Wrightsville Avenue, Nags Head, NC 27959
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#968 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 10
Dare County Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Nags Head Elementary School
Nags Head Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the charming town of Nags Head, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 502 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment where each child can receive individual attention. The dedicated staff includes 43 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure that all students succeed academically.
According to MySchoolScout data, Nags Head Elementary School ranks at number 1053 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 60th percentile. In terms of academic performance, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 64% are proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest that while there is room for improvement, the school is making strides to enhance student learning outcomes.
Situated in a remote coastal town known for its natural beauty and serene environment, Nags Head Elementary School benefits from its unique setting. The community values education and works closely with the school to provide enriching opportunities for students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Nags Head Elementary School — Students at Nags Head Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.8/10.
How Nags Head Elementary School Compares
See how Nags Head Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 68.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52.8% (2025).
Location
3100 S Wrightsville Avenue, Nags Head, NC 27959
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nags Head Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. W T Griggs Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Poplar Branch), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jarvisburg Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Jarvisburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shawboro Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 40.5 miles away, in nearby Shawboro), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nags Head, see our Nags Head schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 40.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| First Flight Elementary School Kill Devil Hills | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| First Flight Middle School Kill Devil Hills | 2.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Dare Learning Academy Kill Devil Hills | 2.8 mi | — |
| First Flight High School Kill Devil Hills | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Manteo High School Manteo | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Manteo Middle School Manteo | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Manteo Elementary School Manteo | 5.0 mi | 6.4 |
| HERON POND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kitty Hawk | 7.1 mi | — |
| WANCHESE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wanchese | 9.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Kitty Hawk Elementary School Kitty Hawk | 10.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Jarvisburg Elementary Jarvisburg | 19.8 mi | 8.5 |
| JARVISBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jarvisburg | 20.0 mi | 6.5 |
| W T Griggs Elementary Poplar Branch | 25.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Water's Edge Village School Corolla | 29.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Currituck County Middle Barco | 32.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Currituck County High Barco | 33.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Central Elementary Barco | 35.3 mi | 5.6 |
| The JP Knapp ECH (i)School Currituck | 38.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Shawboro Elementary School Shawboro | 40.5 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27959 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,619
Median Home Value
$451,100
Median Rent
$1,005/mo
Population
3,172
College Educated
51.5%
Homeownership
77.6%
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Median Age
59
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nags Head Elementary School has a median household income of $87,619. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $451,100, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The local poverty rate of 2.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington, NC | 6.5 |
| Bell Fork Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 6.5 |
| Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain, NC | 6.5 |
| Bonnie Cone Classical Academy Huntersville, NC | 6.5 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy, NC | 6.5 |
| Central Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nags Head Elementary School
What grades does Nags Head Elementary School serve?
Nags Head Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Nags Head Elementary School?
Nags Head Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nags Head Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nags Head Elementary School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nags Head Elementary School rank in NC?
Nags Head Elementary School is ranked #1292 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Nags Head Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nags Head Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Nags Head Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nags Head Elementary School has 63.6% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nags Head Elementary School a charter school?
No, Nags Head Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nags Head Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Nags Head Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nags Head Elementary School?
43.2% of students at Nags Head Elementary School 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 (3,674/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nags Head). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Dare County
- Phone
- (252) 480-8880
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dare County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,102
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,996
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.