Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Summary:

Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is a public school serving grades PK-8 in Smyrna, North Carolina, part of the Carteret County Public Schools district. This high-performing school consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in the state, with exceptional student achievement despite having a very high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary's academic success is remarkable, with students significantly outperforming state and district averages on standardized tests across multiple grade levels and subject areas. The school has maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, indicating its strong performance. However, the school's student population is overwhelmingly white, raising concerns about diversity and equity. Nearby schools like Atlantic Elementary and Harkers Island Elementary also demonstrate strong academic achievement and may offer valuable insights.

The school's small size, low student-teacher ratio, and targeted support for economically disadvantaged students may be contributing factors to its success. Further investigation into the school's instructional practices, teacher quality, and resource allocation could provide valuable lessons for other high-poverty schools seeking to replicate its model of academic excellence.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 174 Marshallberg Road
       Smyrna, NC  28579


(252) 729-2301

District: Carteret County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
464th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,100 Help


Students who attend Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary usually attend:

High:    East Carteret High

Student/teacher ratio:  10.5 Help
Number of students:  249

Racial breakdown:

White:
93.2%
Hispanic:
3.6%
Two or more races:
2.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  98.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary ranks better than 69.2% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 6th among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Carteret County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 66.46. (See more...)
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Compare Details Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary ranks better than 59.6% of middle schools in North Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.1. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.2%), Hispanic (3.6%), two or more races (2.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 98.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is 10.5, which is the lowest among 9 elementary schools in the Carteret County Public Schools District! (See more...)
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Compare Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary employs 23.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary is $11,100. 4 elementary schools in the Carteret County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary 464th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary 320th of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Carteret County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Carteret County Public Schools 35th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 63.77 462nd 1276 63.8%
2007 80.31 168th 1293 87.0%
2008 66.34 416th 1324 68.6%
2009 74.77 299th 1354 77.9%
2010 67.66 446th 1363 67.3%
2011 65.84 500th 1381 63.8%
2012 65.25 502nd 1388 63.8%
2013 61.53 496th 1403 64.6%
2014 69.68 398th 1390 71.4%
2015 81.96 203rd 1440 85.9%
2016 75.42 303rd 1425 78.7%
2017 78.57 248th 1429 82.6%
2018 75.18 311th 1434 78.3%
2019 73.96 326th 1473 77.9%
2021 77.54 277th 1489 81.4%
2022 73.35 346th 1514 77.1%
2023 77.50 281st 1502 81.3%
2024 66.46 464th 1505 69.2%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.37 479th 1332 64.0%
2019 91.63 40th 1361 97.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.44 370th 1405 73.7%
2019 80.12 208th 1424 85.4%
2021 85.12 162nd 1440 88.8%
2022 63.30 492nd 1458 66.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 62.77 515th 1464 64.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.76 544th 1178 53.8%
2019 55.30 527th 1183 55.5%
2021 58.61 460th 1172 60.8%
2022 56.16 526th 1194 55.9%
2023 58.54 488th 1183 58.7%
2024 46.60 665th 1166 43.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

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Rank History for all middle school students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 71.77 145th 598 75.8%
2007 72.81 138th 606 77.2%
2008 76.55 122nd 620 80.3%
2009 85.34 41st 630 93.5%
2010 67.52 211th 640 67.0%
2011 74.03 158th 648 75.6%
2012 67.70 222nd 662 66.5%
2013 76.05 131st 673 80.5%
2014 74.15 144th 627 77.0%
2015 74.07 163rd 705 76.9%
2016 56.94 300th 692 56.6%
2017 72.17 171st 694 75.4%
2018 65.27 240th 691 65.3%
2019 63.00 268th 737 63.6%
2021 69.45 202nd 741 72.7%
2022 75.58 167th 786 78.8%
2023 79.38 146th 784 81.4%
2024 56.10 320th 793 59.6%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.69 217th 604 64.1%
2019 83.49 54th 639 91.5%
2021 50.92 266th 633 58.0%
2022 85.93 48th 689 93.0%
2023 71.00 150th 735 79.6%
2024 61.24 244th 743 67.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Homeless students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 75.13 12th 71 83.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.92 230th 656 64.9%
2019 65.97 219th 684 68.0%
2021 80.22 111th 706 84.3%
2022 81.87 115th 733 84.3%
2023 85.95 83rd 731 88.6%
2024 56.71 297th 738 59.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Disabled students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 73.36 45th 478 90.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 73.85 22nd 416 94.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.80 228th 665 65.7%
2019 59.16 278th 697 60.1%
2021 57.68 266th 711 62.6%
2022 67.56 205th 748 72.6%
2023 63.66 240th 747 67.9%
2024 53.94 321st 751 57.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.35 358th 596 39.9%
2019 37.55 420th 624 32.7%
2021 47.41 316th 632 50.0%
2022 60.40 238th 658 63.8%
2023 58.15 255th 656 61.1%
2024 30.12 493rd 652 24.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 415 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 415
1989 429 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 429
1990 432 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1991 455 1 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 457
1992 416 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1993 387 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 390
1994 370 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 15 388
1995 377 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 380
1996 377 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 380
1997 379 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 381
1998 383 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 384
1999 386 2 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 392
2000 380 0 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 384
2001 376 0 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 381
2002 343 1 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 351
2003 343 1 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 351
2004 320 3 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 329
2005 308 3 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 316
2006 298 4 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 309
2007 285 1 6 5 0 n/a n/a 3 300
2008 269 0 6 2 0 n/a n/a 3 280
2009 246 3 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 254
2010 267 8 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 282
2011 286 1 2 1 0 0 6 0 296
2012 307 5 2 1 0 0 5 0 320
2013 294 3 1 3 0 0 4 0 305
2014 292 2 1 4 0 0 11 0 310
2015 298 2 1 5 0 1 15 0 322
2016 253 1 1 3 1 0 11 0 270
2017 257 1 0 8 1 0 5 0 272
2018 254 1 0 9 1 0 8 0 273
2019 278 1 1 13 0 0 10 0 303
2020 249 1 1 10 0 0 12 0 273
2021 236 2 0 10 0 0 7 0 255
2022 238 2 0 10 0 0 7 0 257
2023 232 1 0 9 0 0 7 0 249

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 415 23.0 18.0 28
1989 429 23.0 18.6 34
1990 432 23.0 18.7 36.6
1991 457 23.0 19.8 34.6
1992 417 23.0 18.1 23.7
1993 390 25.0 15.6 36.7
1994 388 27.0 14.4 34.6
1995 380 26.0 14.6 36.1
1996 380 26.0 14.6 36.1
1997 381 29.0 13.1 25.7
1998 384 35.0 11.0 36.7
1999 392 23.0 17.0 44.9
2000 384 29.0 13.2 41.9
2001 381 29.0 13.1 40.2
2002 351 33.0 10.6 43.6
2003 351 33.0 10.6 43.6
2004 329 33.0 10.0 47.1
2005 316 33.0 9.6 50.3
2006 309 33.0 9.4 46.3
2007 300 n/a n/a 46.1
2008 280 27.7 10.1 44.8
2009 254 26.2 9.7 48
2010 282 24.7 11.3 50.7
2011 296 24.7 11.9 46.3
2012 320 23.3 13.7 47.8
2013 305 23.9 12.7 44.3
2014 310 25.0 12.3 54.5
2015 322 25.0 12.8 51.6
2016 270 25.0 10.8 48.5
2017 272 23.8 11.4 50.4
2018 273 23.3 11.6 44.7
2019 303 23.2 13.0 69.6
2020 273 24.1 11.2 98.9
2021 255 23.5 10.8 98.8
2022 257 23.9 10.7 98.8
2023 249 23.5 10.5 98.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 415 23.0 18.0 28
1989 429 23.0 18.6 34
1990 432 23.0 18.7 36.6
1991 457 23.0 19.8 34.6
1992 417 23.0 18.1 23.7
1993 390 25.0 15.6 36.7
1994 388 27.0 14.4 34.6
1995 380 26.0 14.6 36.1
1996 380 26.0 14.6 36.1
1997 381 29.0 13.1 25.7
1998 384 35.0 11.0 36.7
1999 392 23.0 17.0 44.9
2000 384 29.0 13.2 41.9
2001 381 29.0 13.1 40.2
2002 351 33.0 10.6 43.6
2003 351 33.0 10.6 43.6
2004 329 33.0 10.0 47.1
2005 316 33.0 9.6 50.3
2006 309 33.0 9.4 46.3
2007 300 n/a n/a 46.1
2008 280 27.7 10.1 44.8
2009 254 26.2 9.7 48
2010 282 24.7 11.3 50.7
2011 296 24.7 11.9 46.3
2012 320 23.3 13.7 47.8
2013 305 23.9 12.7 44.3
2014 310 25.0 12.3 54.5
2015 322 25.0 12.8 51.6
2016 270 25.0 10.8 48.5
2017 272 23.8 11.4 50.4
2018 273 23.3 11.6 44.7
2019 303 23.2 13.0 69.6
2020 273 24.1 11.2 98.9
2021 255 23.5 10.8 98.8
2022 257 23.9 10.7 98.8
2023 249 23.5 10.5 98.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,229 (11.1%) $9,871 (88.9%) $11,100

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 326th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 281st of 1502 Elementary schools
 3.4%
Ranks 268th of 737 Middle schoolsRanks 146th of 784 Middle schools
 17.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)91.761.5
 30.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Carteret County Public Schools)73.370.4
 2.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)83.369.2
 14.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Carteret County Public Schools)66.560
 6.5%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)87.583.3
 4.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Carteret County Public Schools)69.867.8
 2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)87.572.2
 15.3%
   4th Grade Reading (Carteret County Public Schools)68.162.2
 5.9%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)94.788.2
 6.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Carteret County Public Schools)71.272.7
 1.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)68.470.6
 2.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Carteret County Public Schools)68.259.7
 8.5%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)94.788.2
 6.5%
   5th Grade Science (Carteret County Public Schools)79.477.1
 2.3%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)60.463.8
 3.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Carteret County Public Schools)70.366.1
 4.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.852.3
 6.5%
6th Grade Reading (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)58.551.1
 7.4%
   6th Grade Reading (Carteret County Public Schools)75.257.5
 17.7%
   6th Grade Reading (North Carolina)6049.3
 10.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)5066
 16%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Carteret County Public Schools)68.366.3
 2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.450.1
 8.3%
7th Grade Reading (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)64.670.2
 5.6%
   7th Grade Reading (Carteret County Public Schools)71.464.6
 6.8%
   7th Grade Reading (North Carolina)58.850.2
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)60.968.1
 7.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Carteret County Public Schools)71.159
 12.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)52.644.8
 7.8%
8th Grade Reading (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)63.868.1
 4.3%
   8th Grade Reading (Carteret County Public Schools)7162.6
 8.4%
   8th Grade Reading (North Carolina)55.651
 4.6%
8th Grade Science (Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary)8783
 4%
   8th Grade Science (Carteret County Public Schools)90.981.1
 9.8%
   8th Grade Science (North Carolina)78.670.3
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students303249
 17.8%
African American11
American Indian00
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic139
 30.8%
Pacific Islander00
White278232
 16.5%
Two or More Races107
 30%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.6%98.8%
 29.2%


Schools Near Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary

Students at Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

Students who attend Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : East Carteret High

In the 2022-23 school year, 249 students attended Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary.

Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary ranks 464th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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