Summary:
In the 28579 zip code, there is one standout public school, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary, which serves grades PK-8 and has a total enrollment of 249 students. This school, part of the Carteret County Public Schools district, consistently outperforms the district and state averages on standardized tests, particularly in mathematics, with a 3rd-grade math proficiency rate of 92.9% compared to 73% for the district and 62.7% for the state.
Despite serving a predominantly white (93.17%) and economically disadvantaged (98.8% free/reduced lunch) student population, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary has a high student-teacher ratio of 10.5 to 1 and spends $11,100 per student, indicating the school is effectively utilizing its resources to support student success. However, the school's racial makeup is not representative of the state's demographics, which could suggest potential issues with equity and access for students of color in the area.
Overall, Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary stands out as a high-performing school that is serving a community with significant economic challenges. The school's strong academic outcomes, particularly in mathematics, are noteworthy and warrant further exploration to understand the factors contributing to this success, as well as the potential challenges the school may be facing in supporting its predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.
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