- Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 494 students
- Arthur W Edwards Elementary — Grades K–5 · 489 students
- Creekside Elementary — Grades K–5 · 453 students
- Albert H Bangert Elementary — Grades K–5 · 446 students
- Brinson Memorial Elementary — Grades K–5 · 446 students
- Bridgeton Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 415 students
- Roger Bell New Tech Academy — Grades PK–5 · 408 students
- Trent Park Elementary — Grades K–5 · 390 students
- Oaks Road Academy — Grades PK–5 · 352 students
- W Jesse Gurganus Elementary — Grades K–5 · 340 students
- James W Smith Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 325 students
- Ben D. Quinn Elementary — Grades K–5 · 312 students
- J.T. Barber Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 270 students
- Havelock Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 248 students
- Graham A Barden Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 237 students
- H J MacDonald Middle — Grades 6–8 · 632 students
- West Craven Middle — Grades 6–8 · 614 students
- Grover C Fields Middle — Grades 6–8 · 542 students
- Tucker Creek Middle — Grades 6–8 · 478 students
- Havelock Middle — Grades 6–8 · 313 students
- New Bern High — Grades 9–12 · 1,637 students
- Havelock High — Grades 9–12 · 1,014 students
- West Craven High — Grades 9–12 · 751 students
- Craven Early College High — Grades 9 · 221 students
- Early College EAST High — Grades 9 · 208 students
- Craven Virtual Academy — Grades 4–12 · 117 students
with district
| Metric | Craven County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 25 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,300/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
About Craven County Schools
Craven County Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 28560 in Craven, North Carolina. Serving students from Pre-K – 13, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 28560. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Craven County Schools reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $10,300 per year, placing it near the North Carolina state average of approximately $10,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With multiple schools, Craven County Schools operates as a district of unknown size serving students from Pre-K – 13. Contact Craven County Schools to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
Craven County Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 5/10, placing it in the average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Craven County Schools falls near the middle of North Carolina on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28560
Children in zip code 28560 are assigned to Craven County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28560, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Craven County Schools at (252)514-6300 or visit www.cravenk12.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Craven
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Craven County Schools serves zip code 28560, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 28560. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Craven County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28560.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Craven County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28560 data.