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Average

#2128 of 2,648 schools in NC

West Carteret High

High School · Carteret County Public Schools

4700 Country Club Road, Morehead City, NC 28557

Enrollment

1,097

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Morehead City

#4 of 4

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#349 of 579

In district

#16 of 16

Carteret County Public Schools

About West Carteret High

West Carteret High serves 1,097 students in grades 9-12 in Morehead City, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1 across 69 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 62nd percentile among North Carolina high schools, placing it at #1003 out of 2661 schools statewide. Academically, West Carteret High demonstrates solid performance with 61% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 55% meet proficiency standards in Mathematics.

These results reflect steady educational outcomes that provide students with foundational skills for their next steps after graduation. The school draws from a stable community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $62,947. With a low poverty rate of 10.1% and median home values around $304,500, the surrounding area reflects a middle-class coastal community that values education and family stability.

Located on Country Club Road in this charming coastal town of Carteret County, West Carteret High benefits from its setting in a community of approximately 15,379 residents who enjoy the unique blend of small-town atmosphere and proximity to North Carolina's beautiful Crystal Coast.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.1%
Math vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness5.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,086

West Carteret High — Students at West Carteret High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.9%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
45.6%
ELA
61.1%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How West Carteret High Compares

See how West Carteret High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in NC
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

Location

4700 Country Club Road, Morehead City, NC 28557

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Carteret High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Carteret High (rated 6.6/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Croatan High (rated 6.2/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Newport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Havelock High (rated 3.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Havelock), a more accessible option. For more schools in Morehead City, see our Morehead City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Bridges School Morehead City 0.2 mi
Morehead City Primary Morehead City 0.5 mi 5.9
CHOSEN GENERATION CHRIST. ACADEMY Morehead City 2.2 mi
Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn Morehead City 2.2 mi 7.2
Morehead City Middle Morehead City 2.6 mi 6.5
A SEA OF LEARNING Morehead City 3.0 mi 4.1
ST EGBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morehead City 3.6 mi 7.5
Newport Middle Newport 5.0 mi 5.3
Newport Elementary Newport 5.6 mi 8.3
NEWPORT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport 7.8 mi 5.2
Broad Creek Middle Newport 7.3 mi 7.2
GRAMERCY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport 8.2 mi 7.4
Beaufort Elementary Beaufort 7.9 mi 8.4
Beaufort Middle Beaufort 8.1 mi 7.5
Tiller School Beaufort 8.6 mi 6.7
East Carteret High Beaufort 9.3 mi 6.6
Croatan High Newport 9.4 mi 6.2
Bogue Sound Elementary Newport 9.5 mi 9.0
Roger Bell New Tech Academy Havelock 11.3 mi 8.4
Havelock High Havelock 11.6 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28557 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,753

Median Home Value

$331,800

Median Rent

$1,143/mo

Population

15,355

College Educated

40%

Homeownership

63.4%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

48.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Carteret High has a median household income of $67,753. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $331,800, with a median rent of $1,143/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. 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
East Henderson High East Flat Rock, NC 5.0
Owen High Black Mountain, NC 5.0
Robert B Glenn High School Kernersville, NC 5.0
South Caldwell High Hudson, NC 5.0
T Wingate Andrews High High Point, NC 5.0
Vance County High School Henderson, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Carteret High

What grades does West Carteret High serve?

West Carteret High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Carteret High?

West Carteret High has an enrollment of approximately 1,097 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Carteret High?

The student-teacher ratio at West Carteret High is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Carteret High rank in NC?

West Carteret High is ranked #2128 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Carteret High's MySchoolScout rating?

West Carteret High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 West Carteret High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Carteret High has 65.9% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Carteret High a charter school?

No, West Carteret High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Carteret High a Title I school?

No, West Carteret High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Carteret High?

46.9% of students at West Carteret High 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,434/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Morehead City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,097
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
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
#16 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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