Bracebridge Hall · Photo: Marie Sharpe Ham, Debra A. Blake, C. Edward Morris · Public domainHalf Moon’s public schools outscore 54% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Half Moon, 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.
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.
Half Moon’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 327 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Half Moon’s, its schools beat 59%, higher than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 46% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,029 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then eight middle and eight high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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.
What’s behind Half Moon’s grade
B−: better than 54% of North Carolina school districts, #124 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Half Moon, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
Kindergarten in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
1st grade in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
2nd grade in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
3rd grade in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
4th grade in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
5th grade in Half Moon
Summersill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 482 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Jacksonville
Half Moon’s public schools are run by Onslow County Schools, which also serves Holly Ridge, Jacksonville, North Topsail Beach and Richlands 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.
Below the state in reading
Half Moon vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Half Moon’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Half Moon | B− | Onslow County Schools |
| Jacksonville | B− | Onslow County Schools PK–12 · Camp Lejeune Schools |
Every school in Half Moon
17 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).
Questions about Half Moon’s schools
Are Half Moon’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Half Moon children attend outscore 54% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #124 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 59%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Half Moon in?
Onslow County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 27,397 students in 39 schools (2024–25).
Where do Half Moon kids go to high school?
One of 8 high schools, depending on your address: Jacksonville High, White Oak High, Swansboro High, Dixon High, Northside High, Richlands High, Southwest High and Onslow Early College.
What is Half Moon’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Onslow County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Half Moon spend per student?
$12,029 in Onslow County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Half Moon families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Half Moon → 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.