Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carteret County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 2,169 students in Carteret County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Carteret County, NC are West Carteret High School, Broad Creek Middle School and Morehead City Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carteret County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Carteret County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Carteret County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Carteret High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4700 Country Club Rd
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1176
Gr: 8-12 | 1,095 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #22.
Broad Creek Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2382 Hwy 24
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 247-3135
Gr: 6-8 | 722 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Morehead City Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Barbour Rd
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-1126
Gr: 6-8 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Down East Middle And Smyrna Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
174 Marshallberg Rd
Smyrna, NC 28579
(252) 729-2301
Gr: PK-8 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Newport Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
500 E Chatham St
Newport, NC 28570
(252) 223-3482
Gr: 6-8 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
Beaufort Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 Carraway Dr
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-4520
Gr: 6-8 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #77.
Bridges School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 36%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Carteret County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Carteret County, NC include West Carteret High School, Broad Creek Middle School and Morehead City Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Carteret County?
6 public middle schools are located in Carteret County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carteret County?
Carteret County public middle schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Carteret County are often viewed compared to one another?

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