- White Oak Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 784 students
- Newport Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 621 students
- Morehead City Primary — Grades PK–3 · 502 students
- Bogue Sound Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 416 students
- Beaufort Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 346 students
- Morehead Elem at Camp Glenn — Grades 4–5 · 253 students
- Harkers Island Elementary — Grades K–5 · 95 students
- Atlantic Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 88 students
- Broad Creek Middle — Grades 6–8 · 722 students
- Morehead City Middle — Grades 6–8 · 506 students
- Newport Middle — Grades 6–8 · 346 students
- Beaufort Middle — Grades 6–8 · 260 students
- Croatan High — Grades 9–12 · 1,019 students
- East Carteret High — Grades 9–12 · 521 students
- West Carteret High — Grades 8–12 · 1,095 students
- Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 262 students
- Bridges School — Grades 6–12 · 11 students
with district
with district
with district
| Metric | Carteret County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 8,081 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 18 | 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 | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 97th percentile → 10/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Carteret County Schools
Carteret County Schools serves zip code 28579, covering Carteret, North Carolina with grades Pre-K – 12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Carteret County Schools 10 out of 10 — top-tier among North Carolina public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 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.
Carteret County Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in North Carolina on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 28579 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28579
Children in zip code 28579 are assigned to Carteret County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28579, 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 Carteret County Schools at (252)728-4583 or visit www.carteretcountyschools.org. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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 Smyrna
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Carteret County Schools serves zip code 28579, homes in and around zip code 28579 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Carteret 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 28579.
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 Carteret County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28579 data.