Beaufort, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released statewide accountability results today, showing increases in test scores and graduation rates for students across the state. Carteret County Public Schools (CCPS) continues to lead the way, exceeding state averages in nearly every category.

Key Highlights for the Carteret County Public School System:

Overall student proficiency increased to 67.5%, compared to the statewide rate of 55%.
Graduation rate climbed to 87.5%, nearing the state’s 87.7% average and marking a 5.4% increase for CCPS over last year.
Students demonstrated growth in reading, math, and high school performance.
Several CCPS schools exceeded expected growth, including Croatan High School, Morehead City Middle School, and Atlantic Elementary.
CCPS continues to outperform the state in nearly every reported category, reinforcing the district’s ongoing commitment to student achievement.

Statewide, 71% of schools met or exceeded growth expectations in 2024-25. For CCPS, even schools that did not meet growth targets showed clear evidence of progress, underscoring the positive direction for students across the district.

Superintendent Richard Paylor said,“Growth is a powerful measure of how well schools are helping students learn, and we are proud of the hard work our educators and students have invested to move forward.”

Paylor also said the district is encouraged by the results while remaining focused on continued improvement. “Our students are showing growth in reading, math, and high school performance, and we are proud of the progress being made across the district,” he said. “These results highlight the dedication of our teachers, administrators, and support staff, as well as the commitment of our students and families. While we celebrate these gains, we remain focused on addressing areas that need improvement and ensuring every student in Carteret County is prepared for success.”

Atlantic Elementary