High Schools in Dare County Schools

The Dare County Schools district in North Carolina is home to four high schools that serve students in grades 9-12. The schools in this district showcase a range of academic performance, with some standouts like First Flight High School and Manteo High School consistently ranking among the top high schools in the state, while smaller schools like Cape Hatteras Secondary School and Dare Learning Academy face more challenges.

First Flight High School and Manteo High School are the standout performers in the district, with strong academic results and efficient use of resources. Both schools consistently outperform the district and state averages on end-of-course (EOC) tests, particularly in Math III and English II. These larger high schools also maintain relatively low student-teacher ratios, which may contribute to their academic success.

In contrast, the smaller schools in the district, Cape Hatteras Secondary School and Dare Learning Academy, face more challenges. While Cape Hatteras Secondary School has the highest per-student spending in the district, its academic performance is mixed, with some grade levels exceeding the district and state averages in math and reading, while others lag behind. Dare Learning Academy, the smallest school with only 28 students, struggles significantly on EOC tests, with proficiency rates well below the district and state averages. These disparities highlight the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors and ensuring that all schools in the Dare County Schools district have the resources and support they need to provide a high-quality education.