For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 5,553 students in Dare County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 167 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Dare County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dare County, NC are Manteo High School, First Flight Middle School and Kitty Hawk Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dare County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Dare County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dare County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Manteo High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
829 Wingina Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-5841
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-5841
Gr: 9-12 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
First Flight Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
109 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-8888
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-8888
Gr: 6-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Kitty Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
16 Dogwood Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-2313
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-2313
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Bear Grass Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6344 E Bear Grass Rd
Waves, NC 27982
(252) 789-1010
Waves, NC 27982
(252) 789-1010
Gr: 6-12 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
First Flight High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 449-7000
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 449-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 874 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
Nags Head Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3100 S Wrightsville Avenue
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 480-8880
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 480-8880
Gr: PK-5 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Manteo Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 N Hwy 64
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-5549
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-5549
Gr: 6-8 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #88.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
48576 Highway 12
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-5730
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-5730
Gr: 6-12 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
First Flight Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
107 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-1111
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-1111
Gr: PK-5 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1010.
Dare Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 480-8888
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 480-8888
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1111.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
47500 Middle Ridge
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-6196
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-6196
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1212.
Manteo Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
701 N Hwy 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-2742
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-2742
Gr: PK-5 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dare County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Dare County, NC include Manteo High School, First Flight Middle School and Kitty Hawk Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Dare County?
12 public schools are located in Dare County.
What percentage of students in Dare County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Dare County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dare County?
Dare County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dare County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dare County include: First Flight High School vs. Manteo High School, First Flight Middle School vs. Manteo Middle School, Manteo High School vs. First Flight High School
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