Summary:
Zip code 28511 contains just one public school: Atlantic Elementary, a small elementary school serving grades PK through 5 with 88 students. It is the only school in the area, meaning there are no local middle or high schools nearby. The school is part of Carteret County Public Schools, a highly rated district ranked 31st out of 246 districts in North Carolina and in the 87th percentile statewide.
Since Atlantic Elementary is the only school in the zip code, it cannot be compared to other nearby schools, but it compares favorably to state averages in several areas. In the most recent school year, 5th graders posted outstanding results, with 90% proficiency in both math and science, well above district and state levels. Reading in 5th grade (70%) also topped the state. However, earlier grades show more inconsistency; 3rd grade reading jumped from 36.4% to 64.3% proficiency, but 3rd grade math fell to 57.1%. These swings are typical for a school with only 88 students, where a few students can significantly change a grade-level score. The school's overall state ranking has declined from the 91st percentile (5 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 74th percentile (4 stars) in the most recent year, though it remains above average.
One of the most remarkable findings is the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 11.5%, less than half the state rate of 24.2% and below the district's 18.7%, despite over 95% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school also benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 9.4 to 1, allowing for personalized instruction in a small setting. While test scores in the early grades are variable, students who progress through the school tend to finish strong, as shown by the consistent academic strength of 5th graders. For parents, this small, high-poverty school stands out for getting students to school consistently and producing respectable results, especially in upper elementary grades.
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