Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Carteret County Public Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
18
Schools
8,081
Students
$13,818
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
77.8%
Free Lunch Rate
+26pp vs nat'l
84.6%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Carteret County Public Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 8,081 students across 18 schools. It includes 9 elementary, 4 middle, 5 high schools. Its graduation rate of 84.6% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $13,818 is near the national average for a US public school district. 78% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 40/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (18)
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Beaufort Middle05–08258
Broad Creek Middle06–08710
Morehead City Middle06–08482
Newport Middle06–08378
High Schools5 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Bridges School06–128
Croatan High09–12974
East Carteret High09–12530
Marine Sci. and Tech. Early College HS12–1349
West Carteret High09–121,146
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$13,818Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
55%
26%
State
54.7%
Local (property tax)
26.2%
Federal
19.2%

Funding is shared between state (55%) and local sources (26%), with notable federal support (19%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
18
Schools
8,081
Students
78%
Free Lunch
$14K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate84.6%
Opportunity Score40/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 18 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
78% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Carteret County Public Schools?
Carteret County Public Schools has 18 public schools, serving a total of 8,081 students.
What is the graduation rate for Carteret County Public Schools?
The graduation rate is 84.6%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Carteret County Public Schools spend per student?
Carteret County Public Schools spends $13,818 per pupil — 4% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Carteret County Public Schools?
78% of students in Carteret County Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Carteret County Public Schools?
No, Carteret County Public Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Carteret County Public Schools serve?
Carteret County Public Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Carteret County Public Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Carteret County Public Schools is 40/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.