Summary:
Zip code 27954 is served by a single public high school, Manteo High School, which enrolls 528 students in grades 9–12 as part of Dare County Schools in Manteo, NC. With about 40% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, the school serves a community with a notable share of economically disadvantaged families, and its student-teacher ratio sits at 18.6.
The school presents a mixed academic profile. Its most recent graduation rate of 94.4% is well above the state average of 88.8%, and upper-level math is a genuine strength: Math III proficiency reached 82.9% in 2025–2026, exceeding both the district (79.9%) and the state (68.9%). English II also outpaced the state by roughly 6.5 points. However, significant concerns remain. Chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 51.0%, far above the district rate of 32.3% and more than double the state rate of 24.2%. Math I proficiency is a major weak spot at just 39.1%, trailing the district by 26 points and slightly missing the state average. Biology proficiency (54.7%) also lags behind the district (69.6%) and the state (58.5%), highlighting areas that need attention despite the school's strong graduation outcomes.
Manteo High School's overall standing has slipped steadily over the past three years, dropping from the 74th percentile statewide in 2023–2024 to the 57th percentile in 2025–2026, while its star rating fell from 4 to 3 stars. The school now ranks below its own district, which sits at the 68th percentile. For parents, this suggests a school with real strengths in advanced math and graduating seniors, but one where early high school math readiness, student attendance, and science proficiency require careful consideration when evaluating the full student experience.
Thank you for your feedback!