For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 2,716 students in Craven County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Craven County, NC are Havelock Elementary School, Graham A Barden Elementary School and James W Smith Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Craven County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Craven County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Craven County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Havelock Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Cunningham Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5106
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5106
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22.
Graham A Barden Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Cedar Drive
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5100
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5100
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #33.
James W Smith Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
150 Koonce Town Road
Cove City, NC 28523
(252) 514-6466
Cove City, NC 28523
(252) 514-6466
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #44.
Vanceboro-farm Life Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2000 Farm Life Avenue
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3215
Vanceboro, NC 28586
(252) 244-3215
Gr: PK-5 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Roger Bell New Tech Academy
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
804 Fontana Boulevard
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5133
Havelock, NC 28532
(252) 444-5133
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
Bridgeton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
230 Branch Canal Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6425
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6425
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #77.
J.t. Barber Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1700 Cobb Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6460
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6460
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #88.
Oaks Road Academy
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2811 Oaks Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6475
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 514-6475
Gr: PK-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Craven County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Craven County, NC include Havelock Elementary School, Graham A Barden Elementary School and James W Smith Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Craven County?
8 public preschools are located in Craven County.
What is the racial composition of students in Craven County?
Craven County public preschools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Craven County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Craven County include: Oaks Road Academy vs. J.t. Barber Elementary School, Havelock Elementary School vs. Graham A Barden Elementary School, J.t. Barber Elementary School vs. Oaks Road Academy
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.