First Flight High School

Summary:

First Flight High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, with a student population of 956 as of the 2022-2023 school year. This school is part of the Dare County Schools district, which is ranked 102 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

First Flight High School consistently outperforms the Dare County Schools district and the state of North Carolina in end-of-course (EOC) test scores across various subjects, with 69.1% proficiency in Biology EOC and 76.2% proficiency in English II EOC, compared to lower district and state averages. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 16.1 to 17.7 over the past three school years, lower than the nearby Manteo High School, which had a ratio of 15 in 2022-2023.

While First Flight High School has a majority white student population (80.65% in 2022-2023), it has a higher percentage of Hispanic students (12.03%) compared to Manteo High School (25.09%). However, the school's percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch has increased from 15.36% in 2020-2021 to 27.2% in 2022-2023, indicating a growing population of students from lower-income families. The school's statewide ranking has also declined in recent years, from a high of 35th out of 451 North Carolina high schools in 2013-2014 to 151st out of 640 in 2023-2024, which warrants further investigation.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 100 Veterans Drive
       Kill Devil Hills, NC  27948


(252) 449-7000

District: Dare County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
151st of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,945 Help


Feeder schools for First Flight High School:

Elementary:    First Flight Elementary School
    Kitty Hawk Elementary School
Middle:    First Flight Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.7 Help
Number of students:  956

Racial breakdown:

White:
80.6%
Hispanic:
12.0%
Two or more races:
5.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  27.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details First Flight High School ranks better than 76.4% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks first among 4 ranked high schools in the Dare County Schools District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75.98. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details First Flight High School has the largest high school student body size in the Dare County Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (80.6%), Hispanic (12%), two or more races (5.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 27.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Dare County Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at First Flight High School is 17.7, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the Dare County Schools District! (See more...)
Help
Compare First Flight High School employs 53.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at First Flight High School is $10,945, which is the lowest among 4 high schools in the Dare County Schools District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

First Flight High School:

SchoolDigger ranks First Flight High School 151st of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See First Flight High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Dare County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Dare County Schools 102nd of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for First Flight High School

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Rank History for all students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 77.16 33rd 431 92.3%
2007 72.92 56th 453 87.6%
2008 74.31 48th 477 89.9%
2009 71.08 63rd 490 87.1%
2010 70.22 75th 499 85.0%
2011 71.27 76th 506 85.0%
2012 65.77 96th 502 80.9%
2013 69.66 43rd 505 91.5%
2014 80.17 35th 451 92.2%
2015 67.72 86th 531 83.8%
2016 68.77 74th 507 85.4%
2017 72.80 71st 476 85.1%
2018 79.41 59th 469 87.4%
2019 68.90 103rd 514 80.0%
2021 52.43 258th 594 56.6%
2022 60.35 232nd 621 62.6%
2023 67.28 184th 626 70.6%
2024 75.98 151st 640 76.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 64.10 63rd 199 68.3%
2022 63.97 60th 226 73.5%
2023 62.18 76th 249 69.5%
2024 70.40 61st 261 76.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 53.45 70th 226 69.0%
2024 42.14 127th 262 51.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 73.47 43rd 349 87.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.19 54th 424 87.3%
2019 55.02 107th 446 76.0%
2021 58.60 74th 432 82.9%
2022 51.32 215th 544 60.5%
2023 60.58 183rd 597 69.3%
2024 66.46 165th 613 73.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.93 81st 449 82.0%
2019 65.91 110th 475 76.8%
2021 51.77 181st 475 61.9%
2022 66.10 185th 594 68.9%
2023 69.91 164th 588 72.1%
2024 77.66 142nd 602 76.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.68 32nd 349 90.8%
2019 84.60 18th 364 95.1%
2021 38.64 187th 334 44.0%
2022 66.76 55th 330 83.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 69.55 71st 325 78.2%
2021 58.70 162nd 337 51.9%
2022 74.97 81st 398 79.6%
2023 58.87 190th 403 52.9%
2024 69.05 121st 403 70.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.12 52nd 463 88.8%
2019 69.78 83rd 488 83.0%
2021 51.88 169th 481 64.9%
2022 54.58 240th 585 59.0%
2023 63.94 193rd 602 67.9%
2024 73.66 154th 607 74.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.65 173rd 340 49.1%
2019 43.77 151st 354 57.3%
2021 18.84 322nd 370 13.0%
2022 62.16 120th 436 72.5%
2023 47.85 200th 449 55.5%
2024 59.64 136th 454 70.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at First Flight High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.69 87th 427 79.6%
2019 59.51 140th 444 68.5%
2021 43.84 210th 439 52.2%
2022 46.16 279th 534 47.8%
2023 58.52 217th 537 59.6%
2024 69.93 173rd 553 68.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High 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.

First Flight High School 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 First Flight High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2005 765 13 5 21 3 n/a n/a 0 807
2006 800 17 7 26 2 n/a n/a 0 852
2007 810 4 7 28 1 n/a n/a 13 863
2008 805 3 5 26 1 n/a n/a 14 854
2009 784 19 5 28 0 n/a n/a 0 836
2010 799 23 9 30 1 n/a n/a 0 862
2011 780 4 7 37 0 2 15 0 845
2012 728 5 8 37 0 0 18 0 796
2013 738 8 5 41 0 0 19 0 811
2014 730 6 6 44 2 0 21 0 809
2015 717 4 8 55 3 1 19 0 807
2016 679 6 12 65 2 2 22 0 788
2017 652 1 11 69 5 1 24 0 763
2018 694 0 9 75 5 1 27 0 811
2019 734 0 10 75 2 1 25 0 847
2020 740 0 11 100 3 0 32 0 886
2021 756 3 13 101 1 0 31 0 905
2022 789 2 13 117 1 0 40 0 962
2023 771 3 12 115 1 0 54 0 956

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 First Flight High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2005 807 60.0 13.5 10
2006 852 60.0 14.2 10.2
2007 863 58.1 14.9 9.2
2008 854 61.2 14.0 15
2009 836 63.1 13.2 16.5
2010 862 60.4 14.2 24.5
2011 845 60.7 13.9 25.2
2012 796 60.0 13.2 24
2013 811 60.5 13.3 26.9
2014 809 59.3 13.6 23.2
2015 807 58.0 13.9 25.4
2016 788 58.0 13.5 25.6
2017 763 56.9 13.4 27.4
2018 811 54.9 14.7 19.1
2019 847 55.4 15.2 15.9
2020 886 55.8 15.8 17.3
2021 905 56.1 16.1 15.4
2022 962 55.2 17.4 13.4
2023 956 53.7 17.7 27.2

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 First Flight High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2005 807 60.0 13.5 10
2006 852 60.0 14.2 10.2
2007 863 58.1 14.9 9.2
2008 854 61.2 14.0 15
2009 836 63.1 13.2 16.5
2010 862 60.4 14.2 24.5
2011 845 60.7 13.9 25.2
2012 796 60.0 13.2 24
2013 811 60.5 13.3 26.9
2014 809 59.3 13.6 23.2
2015 807 58.0 13.9 25.4
2016 788 58.0 13.5 25.6
2017 763 56.9 13.4 27.4
2018 811 54.9 14.7 19.1
2019 847 55.4 15.2 15.9
2020 886 55.8 15.8 17.3
2021 905 56.1 16.1 15.4
2022 962 55.2 17.4 13.4
2023 956 53.7 17.7 27.2

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 First Flight High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $573 (5.2%) $10,372 (94.8%) $10,945

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

Impact of COVID-19 on First Flight High School

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 103rd of 514 High schoolsRanks 184th of 626 High schools
 9.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (First Flight High School)73.355.3
 18%
   End of Course Biology (Dare County Schools)69.254.9
 14.3%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (First Flight High School)73.365.6
 7.7%
   End of Course English II (Dare County Schools)71.161.8
 9.3%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (First Flight High School)38.469.1
 30.7%
   End of Course Math I (Dare County Schools)4161.6
 20.6%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (First Flight High School)64.273.4
 9.2%
   End of Course Math III (Dare County Schools)63.467.7
 4.3%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students847956
 12.9%
African American03
American Indian21
 50%
Asian1012
 20%
Hispanic75115
 53.3%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White734771
 5%
Two or More Races2554
 116%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients15.9%27.2%
 11.3%


Schools Near First Flight High School









Frequently Asked Questions about First Flight High School

First Flight High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : First Flight Elementary School
Elementary : Kitty Hawk Elementary School
Middle : First Flight Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 956 students attended First Flight High School.

First Flight High School ranks 151st of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at First Flight High School are 81% White, 12% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.


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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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