A school rich in history and tradition, Atlantic School was the first Public High School in Carteret County.  The original building was built in 1905.  The school at that time served students in grades 1-11 and was a combined grammar and high school.  Curriculum featured a teacher training course offered in 1924, which gave two-thirds of a year's college credit, and was the first of its kind.
The gymnasium was built in 1936, and the current building was built in 1951 serving students in grades 1-12 until East Carteret High School was built in 1965.  In 1976 a Kindergarten was built and added, and in 1991 the school added Pre-Kindergarten.  With the formation of Down East Middle School, Atlantic Elementary School, "Home of the Pirates", currently serves students in grade Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth, and proudly continues the academic tradition established in 1905.