Best High Schools in Zip Code 27983

ZIP code 27983 is served by two public high schools, both part of Bertie County Schools and both serving grades 9–12: the larger traditional Bertie High with about 449 students, and the much smaller Bertie Early College High with about 99 students. These two schools serve similarly high-need student populations, with nearly all students at both schools eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, yet they produce dramatically different results.

Bertie Early College High is the clear standout. It ranks 100 out of 662 North Carolina high schools, placing it in the top 15% statewide with an 85th percentile score and 4 stars. In 2025–2026, it beat state averages in every End-of-Course test area, including English II at 95.2% proficient versus 64.6% statewide, and Math III at 96% versus 68.9% statewide. In contrast, Bertie High ranks 564 out of 662, placing it in the bottom 15% with just 1 star. Its English II proficiency is only 28.3%, and Math I proficiency is just 23.5%, far below both state and district averages. The performance gap between these two schools is enormous: English II proficiency differs by nearly 67 percentage points, and Math I differs by more than 55 percentage points.

Bertie High also faces serious engagement and graduation concerns, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 33.0% and a graduation rate of 84.6%, both worse than state averages. Interestingly, Bertie High spends more per student and has a better student–teacher ratio than the early college, yet its outcomes are much weaker. Bertie Early College High likely experiences more year-to-year score swings due to its very small enrollment, so parents should interpret single-year changes cautiously. Still, its consistently top-quarter ranking makes it a strong option, while Bertie High shows mixed signs of improvement but remains a school families should research closely.