Summary:
Elementary schools in zip code 28531 are represented by a single school, Harkers Island Elementary, which serves grades K-5 with 95 students in the Harkers Island area of North Carolina within Carteret County Public Schools. The district is highly rated, ranking 31st out of 246 North Carolina districts with a 4-star rating. Harkers Island Elementary serves a very high-poverty population, with 96.84% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, making its academic achievements especially notable.
As the only elementary school in this area, Harkers Island Elementary stands out for several strong academic results. The school posted exceptional 3rd grade reading scores in 2024-2025, with 92.3% proficient versus 46.7% statewide. Fifth grade science is also a clear strength, reaching 86.7% proficiency in 2024-2025 and 77.8% in 2025-2026, both well above state averages. In math, the school generally outperforms the state, with 3rd grade math at 76.9% in 2024-2025 and 72.2% in 2025-2026, though it trails the district's strong averages in upper grades, such as 5th grade math at 55.6% in 2025-2026 versus 75.0% for Carteret County Public Schools.
Reading results are less consistent across grades and cohorts, with strong showings like 4th grade reading at 81.3% in 2025-2026 but weaker ones like 5th grade reading at 55.6% that same year. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at 24.7%, higher than the district's 18.7% and nearly equal to the state's 24.2%. Given the small enrollment of roughly 15-20 students per grade, proficiency rates can swing dramatically from year to year, so these results should be interpreted with caution. The school has earned a 3-star or 4-star rating over the past three years, ranking between the 68th and 78th percentiles statewide, reflecting a mixed but encouraging overall profile.
Thank you for your feedback!