West Carteret High School is a public secondary school located in Morehead City, North Carolina on Country Club Road, and is part of the Carteret County Public Schools system. The school serves the student populations of Morehead City, Newport, Atlantic Beach, and surrounding areas.
Serving 1,097 students in grades 9-12, West Carteret High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 80-84% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,097 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 29%
- Graduation Rate: 81% (Btm 50% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 80-84% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 68% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 74% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Carteret High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
West Carteret High School's student population of 1,097 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 69 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,097 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
69 teachers
Year Founded
1964
School Rankings
West Carteret High School ranks within the top 10% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Carteret High School is 0.47, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#220 out of 2617 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
80-84%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
15%
21%
Black
6%
25%
White
71%
43%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
81%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
44%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Carteret High School's ranking?
West Carteret High School is ranked #220 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are West Carteret High School often compared to?
West Carteret High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Croatan High School, East Carteret High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
80-84% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Carteret High School?
The graduation rate of West Carteret High School is 81%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend West Carteret High School?
1,097 students attend West Carteret High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
71% of West Carteret High School students are White, 15% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West Carteret High School?
West Carteret High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does West Carteret High School offer ?
West Carteret High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is West Carteret High School part of?
West Carteret High School is part of Carteret County School District.
School Reviews
Review West Carteret High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
