Very Good
#560 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary
Elementary School · Craven County Board of Education
535 Hwy 70 W, Havelock, NC 28532
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Havelock
#2 of 9
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#490 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 26
Craven County Board of Education
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About W Jesse Gurganus Elementary
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary stands out as a high-performing elementary school in Havelock, North Carolina, earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This kindergarten through fifth-grade school serves 350 students with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1, supported by 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic excellence is evident in its remarkable state ranking of #169 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide.
Students consistently demonstrate strong academic performance, with 76% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, and an even more impressive 81% reaching proficiency in Mathematics. Located at 535 Highway 70 West, the school serves families in the 28532 zip code area, where the median household income is $61,389 and median home values average $182,600. The surrounding community of over 20,000 residents reflects a working-class area with a 14.9% poverty rate and 18% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary operates in a rural setting near town, providing students with a close-knit educational environment while maintaining access to the broader Havelock community resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, W Jesse Gurganus 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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W Jesse Gurganus Elementary — Students at W Jesse Gurganus Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.7%
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: 7.3/10.
How W Jesse Gurganus Elementary Compares
See how W Jesse Gurganus Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 79% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 75.1% (2025).
Location
535 Hwy 70 W, Havelock, NC 28532
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W Jesse Gurganus Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bogue Sound Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Newport), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brinson Memorial Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby New Bern), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Roger Bell New Tech Academy (rated 8.4/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Havelock, see our Havelock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur W Edwards Elementary Havelock | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Tucker Creek Middle Havelock | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Graham A Barden Elementary Havelock | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Havelock | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Havelock Elementary Havelock | 3.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Early College EAST High Havelock | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Havelock Middle Havelock | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Havelock High Havelock | 3.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Roger Bell New Tech Academy Havelock | 4.0 mi | 8.4 |
| GRAMERCY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport | 6.7 mi | 7.4 |
| NEWPORT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Creekside Elementary New Bern | 9.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Newport Elementary Newport | 9.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Arapahoe Charter School Arapahoe | 9.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Newport Middle Newport | 10.5 mi | 5.3 |
| NEW BERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Bern | 11.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern | 11.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Broad Creek Middle Newport | 12.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Bogue Sound Elementary Newport | 13.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Croatan High Newport | 13.4 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28532 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,772
Median Home Value
$193,200
Median Rent
$1,270/mo
Population
19,918
College Educated
18.6%
Homeownership
55.1%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
15%
Median Age
30.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding W Jesse Gurganus Elementary has a median household income of $65,772. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,200, with a median rent of $1,270/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Aquadale Elementary Norwood, NC | 7.8 |
| Ashley Park PreK-8 School Charlotte, NC | 7.8 |
| Belvoir Elementary Greenville, NC | 7.8 |
| Benton Heights Elementary Monroe, NC | 7.8 |
| Charles H Tuttle Elementary Maiden, NC | 7.8 |
| Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W Jesse Gurganus Elementary
What grades does W Jesse Gurganus Elementary serve?
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend W Jesse Gurganus Elementary?
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W Jesse Gurganus Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at W Jesse Gurganus Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W Jesse Gurganus Elementary rank in NC?
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary is ranked #560 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W Jesse Gurganus Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 W Jesse Gurganus Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W Jesse Gurganus Elementary has 76.9% math proficiency and 72.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W Jesse Gurganus Elementary a charter school?
No, W Jesse Gurganus Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W Jesse Gurganus Elementary a Title I school?
No, W Jesse Gurganus Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W Jesse Gurganus Elementary?
47.7% of students at W Jesse Gurganus 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 (Havelock). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 350
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Craven County
- Phone
- (252) 444-5150
- 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
- #6 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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