For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 4,082 students in Dare County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dare County, NC are First Flight Middle School, Kitty Hawk Elementary School and Bear Grass Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dare County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Dare County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Dare County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
First Flight Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
109 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-8888
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-8888
Gr: 6-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Kitty Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
16 Dogwood Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-2313
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-2313
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Bear Grass Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6344 E Bear Grass Rd
Waves, NC 27982
(252) 789-1010
Waves, NC 27982
(252) 789-1010
Gr: 6-12 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Nags Head Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3100 S Wrightsville Avenue
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 480-8880
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 480-8880
Gr: PK-5 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Manteo Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 N Hwy 64
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-5549
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-5549
Gr: 6-8 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #66.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
48576 Highway 12
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-5730
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-5730
Gr: 6-12 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #77.
First Flight Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
107 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-1111
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-1111
Gr: PK-5 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #88.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
47500 Middle Ridge
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-6196
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-6196
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #99.
Manteo Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
701 N Hwy 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-2742
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 473-2742
Gr: PK-5 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Dare County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dare County, NC include First Flight Middle School, Kitty Hawk Elementary School and Bear Grass Charter School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Dare County?
9 public elementary schools are located in Dare County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dare County?
Dare County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Dare County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Dare County include: First Flight Middle School vs. Manteo Middle School, Manteo Middle School vs. First Flight Middle School, First Flight Elementary School vs. Kitty Hawk Elementary School
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