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Nags Head Elementary School

Q: Is Nags Head Elementary School a good school?

Nags Head Elementary School ranks 602 nd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

602^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 60% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Nags Head Elementary School serves 484 students in grades PK–5 in the coastal town of Nags Head, NC, and is part of Dare County Schools. The school currently holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 60th percentile of North Carolina elementary schools—a notable shift from 2015–2019, when it consistently ranked in the 86th–88th percentile statewide. Nags Head serves a fairly economically diverse student body, with 45.3% of students receiving free/reduced-price lunch. That is higher than nearby Kitty Hawk Elementary School (23.2%) but lower than Manteo Elementary School (51.6%).

Parents will find several genuine bright spots. Chronic absenteeism is impressively low at 16.8%—roughly half the district rate (32.3%) and well below the state average (24.2%), and also lower than every nearby comparison school, including First Flight Elementary School (18.2%) and Kitty Hawk (19.3%). Gifted and talented students at Nags Head rank in the 96th percentile statewide, an exceptional result. The school also shows a striking upward grade-level trend: while 3rd grade math (57.4%) and reading (39.7%) fall below state averages, by 5th grade math (73.4%) and reading (65.8%) climb comfortably above them, and 5th grade science proficiency reaches 81% versus the state's 67.7%. In fact, Nags Head's 5th grade scores are on par with or better than Kitty Hawk's, despite serving a student population with nearly double the poverty rate.

The challenges are equally clear. Third grade proficiency is a relative weak spot—well below state averages and below several nearby schools, including Jarvisburg Elementary in Currituck County Schools, whose students post far stronger 3rd grade reading scores despite higher poverty levels. Nags Head also shows large outcome gaps for historically underserved subgroups: students from low-income households rank in the 22nd percentile statewide, and English language learners rank in the 7th percentile. Taken together, this profile suggests Nags Head is a school with strong upper-elementary instruction and excellent support for advanced learners, but with meaningful room to grow in early literacy and numeracy and in serving all students equitably.

484

Students ?

13.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

45.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3100 S Wrightsville Avenue
Nags Head, NC 27959

(252) 480-8880

District: Dare County Schools

Students who attend Nags Head Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Manteo Middle School
High:	Manteo High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.2%

Hispanic:

28.3%

Two or more races:

8.9%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Nags Head Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 88th percentile in 2016 → 60th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the North Carolina median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 28 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school63%

District avg60%

North Carolina avg61%

602^nd of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 40%▼ down 28 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to top 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

78^th of 246Dare County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.7	602 of 1492	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.0	532 of 1490	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.2	679 of 1505	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.7	655 of 1502	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	68.8	419 of 1514	72.3%	★★★★☆
2021	64.6	487 of 1489	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	83.8	180 of 1473	87.8%	★★★★☆
2018	81.6	201 of 1434	86.0%	★★★★☆
2017	81.6	196 of 1429	86.3%	★★★★☆
2016	82.6	178 of 1425	87.5%	★★★★☆
2015	79.9	243 of 1440	83.1%	★★★★☆
2014	80.5	230 of 1390	83.5%	★★★★☆
2013	77.5	261 of 1403	81.4%	★★★★☆
2012	76.9	265 of 1388	80.9%	★★★★☆
2011	74.4	311 of 1381	77.5%	★★★★☆
2010	65.3	499 of 1363	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	78.4	236 of 1354	82.6%	★★★★☆
2008	67.0	400 of 1324	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2007	66.3	416 of 1293	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	62.9	483 of 1276	62.1%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	17.4	483 of 519	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	30.9	418 of 563	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.6	339 of 533	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.4	400 of 514	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.2	470 of 485	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	81.2	48 of 497	90.3%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.5	583 of 1447	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.3	346 of 1451	76.2%	★★★★☆
2024	55.4	623 of 1455	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.5	612 of 1459	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.7	609 of 1458	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.4	458 of 1440	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	83.9	155 of 1424	89.1%	★★★★☆
2018	80.1	224 of 1405	84.1%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	69.2	31 of 743	95.8%	★★★★★
2024	58.8	332 of 669	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	70.2	14 of 500	97.2%	★★★★★
2021	49.9	339 of 494	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	63.3	258 of 612	57.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	27.9	793 of 981	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	34.0	676 of 961	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	26.2	778 of 951	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.0	678 of 915	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	56.5	319 of 893	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.4	281 of 843	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.4	165 of 865	80.9%	★★★★☆
2018	63.3	253 of 851	70.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	30.7	1117 of 1434	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	39.4	927 of 1437	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.1	1167 of 1450	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	54.6	604 of 1437	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.5	439 of 1366	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.1	513 of 1329	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	88.4	66 of 1361	95.2%	★★★★★
2018	82.8	123 of 1332	90.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	59.0	580 of 1451	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.7	711 of 1450	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.0	689 of 1464	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.3	681 of 1461	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	76.7	282 of 1464	80.7%	★★★★☆
2021	64.0	481 of 1444	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	81.4	202 of 1430	85.9%	★★★★☆
2018	80.5	205 of 1413	85.5%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	62.5	33 of 103	68.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.0	477 of 1146	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.0	434 of 1172	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.1	683 of 1166	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.7	630 of 1183	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.8	510 of 1194	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.6	535 of 1172	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.8	206 of 1183	82.6%	★★★★☆
2018	76.3	248 of 1178	78.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Gifted and Talented (2026)96th percentile+36 vs school

Multi-racial (2019)68th percentile-20 vs school

Male (2026)60th percentile~ school

Female (2026)60th percentile~ school

White (2026)58th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)22nd percentile-38 vs school

Hispanic (2026)19th percentile-40 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)7th percentile-53 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science81%+13 vs state

Mathematics66%~ state avg

Reading54%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Nags Head Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Nags Head Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3100 S Wrightsville Avenue	Nags Head	27959	Dare County	Dare County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 480-8880	484	36	13.3	45.2%	296 (61.2%)	5 (1.0%)	137 (28.3%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (8.9%)	58.7	602^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	59.7%		62	532^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	64.3%	70	57.4	65.8	73.4	39.7	55.3	65.8	81.0	$11,095	$568	$10,527
First Flight Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	107 Veterans Drive	Kill Devil Hills	27948	Dare County	Dare County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 441-1111	285	28	10.0	43.2%	194 (68.1%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (21.8%)	7 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (7.7%)	50.2	724^th of 1492 public elementary schools	51.5%		45	832^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	44.2%	108	74.5	60.5	67.5	44.7	53.5	50.0	65.0	$14,298	$1,105	$13,194
Manteo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	701 N Hwy 64/264	Manteo	27954	Dare County	Dare County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 473-2742	636	47	13.4	51.6%	391 (61.5%)	20 (3.1%)	175 (27.5%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (7.4%)	36	982^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	34.2%		35.6	988^th of 1490 public elementary schools	33.7%	6	61.3	43.1	58.9	50.5	46.1	40.0	69.5	$11,908	$794	$11,114
Kitty Hawk Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	16 Dogwood Trail	Kitty Hawk	27949	Dare County	Dare County Schools	No	No	No	No	(252) 261-2313	487	35	13.7	23.2%	423 (86.9%)	3 (0.6%)	33 (6.8%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.9%)	73.4	354^th of 1492 public elementary schools	76.3%		83.3	198^th of 1490 public elementary schools	86.7%	156	64.8	70.9	72.9	54.9	74.4	64.7	87.1	$11,885	$396	$11,489
Jarvisburg Elementary	Public	K-5	110 Jarvisburg Rd	Jarvisburg	27947	Currituck County	Currituck County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(252) 491-2050	218	15	14.8	60.6%	137 (62.8%)	9 (4.1%)	37 (17.0%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (15.1%)	72.3	372^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	75.1%		74.9	315^th of 1490 public elementary schools	78.9%	57	75.8	69.8	73.3	72.7	46.5	71.1	82.2	$11,958	$1,257	$10,701

Frequently Asked Questions about Nags Head Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Nags Head Elementary School?

Students at Nags Head Elementary School are 61% White, 28% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 1% African American.

What schools do graduates of Nags Head Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Nags Head Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Manteo Middle School
High : Manteo High School

Is Nags Head Elementary School a good school?

Nags Head Elementary School ranks 602^nd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Nags Head Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 484 students attended Nags Head Elementary School.

What district is Nags Head Elementary School in?

Dare County Schools

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesNewSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresNewSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.