Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 28365

Zip code 28365 in Mount Olive, NC, is home to two elementary schools: North Duplin Elementary (PK–6, 730 students) in Duplin County Schools and Carver Elementary (PK–4, 495 students) in Wayne County Public Schools, both serving communities where over 99% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. These schools share a zip code but operate in very different districts: Duplin County Schools ranks 201st out of 246 North Carolina districts (18th percentile), while Wayne County Public Schools ranks 110th (55th percentile).

Carver Elementary is the clear academic leader in the area. In 2025–2026, it earned a 4-star rating and ranked 417th in the state (72nd percentile), up from 672nd just one year before. Carver exceeds the state average in every subject and grade it tests. North Duplin Elementary, by contrast, ranked 808th (46th percentile) with a 2-star rating, though it stands out within its own district, beating Duplin County proficiency rates by double-digit percentage points in several grades. In the grades the two schools share (3rd and 4th), Carver wins every comparison. For example, 3rd grade math proficiency is 78.3% at Carver versus 68.4% at North Duplin, and 3rd grade reading is 59.1% versus 51.0%.

North Duplin's biggest challenge is an upper-grade slide. While its early elementary math scores exceed state averages, proficiency falls to 52.8% in 5th grade math and 46.7% in 6th grade math, both well below state averages. Chronic absenteeism also separates the two schools: North Duplin's rate is a remarkable 13.9%, while Carver's is 20.9% — making Carver's strong test scores even more impressive given higher absenteeism. Carver also enjoys a smaller student-teacher ratio (13.9 versus 15.5) and higher per-student spending ($10,340 versus $9,167). In short, Carver is the standout school in zip code 28365, but North Duplin remains a solid performer with excellent attendance inside a struggling district.