For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 6,185 students in Beaufort County, NC (there are 4 private schools, serving 483 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Beaufort County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Beaufort County, NC are Beaufort Co Early College High School, Chocowinity Primary and Bath Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Beaufort County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Beaufort County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Beaufort County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Beaufort Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5337 Hwy 264 East, Building 10
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-6227
Gr: 9-13 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
Chocowinity Primary
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
606 Gray Road
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-3881
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-3881
Gr: PK-4 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Bath Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 S King Street
Bath, NC 27808
(252) 923-3251
Bath, NC 27808
(252) 923-3251
Gr: K-8 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Washington Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2330 Old Bath Hwy
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1977
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1977
Gr: K-12 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Southside High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5700 Hwy 33 East
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 940-1881
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 940-1881
Gr: 9-12 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Northside High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7868 Free Union Church Road
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6341
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6341
Gr: 9-12 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Chocowinity Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3831 Us Hwy 17 S
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-6191
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-6191
Gr: 5-8 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #88.
Washington High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Slatestone Road
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0858
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0858
Gr: 9-12 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #99.
P S Jones Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4105 N Market Street Ext
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0874
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-0874
Gr: 6-8 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1010.
John C Tayloe Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
910 Tarboro Street
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3350
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3350
Gr: 2-3 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1111.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
21000 Us Hwy 264 East
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6545
Pinetown, NC 27865
(252) 943-6545
Gr: PK-8 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1212.
John Small Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4103 North Market Street Ext
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3941
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-3941
Gr: 4-5 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1313.
S W Snowden Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
693 North 7th Street
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-5351
Aurora, NC 27806
(252) 322-5351
Gr: PK-8 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: n/an/a
947 Hudnell Street
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1611
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-1611
Gr: PK-1 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Beaufort County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Beaufort County, NC include Beaufort Co Early College High School, Chocowinity Primary and Bath Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Beaufort County?
14 public schools are located in Beaufort County.
What percentage of students in Beaufort County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Beaufort County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Beaufort County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Beaufort County include: Northeast Elementary School vs. Bath Elementary School, Southside High School vs. Northside High School, Northside High School vs. Southside High School
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
