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Cape Hatteras Light StationCape Hatteras Light Station · Photo: Henryhartley · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Buxton · Dare County Schools

Buxton’s public schools outscore 74% of North Carolina districts

In Buxton, 57% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buxton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
57%
▲ 7 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
57%
▲ 6 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 6 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.1K
▲ 16% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.4
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
648 students on the public path
In brief

Buxton’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 57% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,072 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Cape Hatteras Secondary School. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Buxton’s grade

B+ Test scoresA Graduation

B+: better than 74% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 74%
Lower resultsHigher results
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,616 test results and a graduating class of 474 could put Buxton anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Buxton’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,500 in math, 2,732 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Buxton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Cape Hatteras Elementary SchoolDare County SchoolsC
6–12Cape Hatteras Secondary SchoolDare County SchoolsB+

Buxton’s public schools are run by Dare County Schools, which also serves Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk and Manteo and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Dare County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 4,968 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 14.4 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$15,072NC $13,045 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading57%
State average 49.9% · 2732 students tested
Math57%
State average 50.8% · 2500 students tested

Buxton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Buxton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BuxtonB+Dare County Schools

Every school in Buxton

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Buxtonby address
Cape Hatteras Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
284 students12:1Rate it →
Cape Hatteras Secondary School
High · Grades 6–12
B+
364 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Buxton’s schools

Are Buxton’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Buxton children attend outscore 74% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Buxton in?

Dare County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,968 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

What is Buxton’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Dare County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Buxton spend per student?

$15,072 in Dare County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Buxton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buxton → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.