North Market Street Historic District · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0Washington’s public schools score below 59% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
On the state reading tests, 42% of Washington’s students scored proficient, below the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Washington, 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.
Washington’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 191 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Washington’s, its schools beat 46%, higher than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 49% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,416 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is John C Tayloe Elementary, then P S Jones Middle, then Washington High. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Washington Montessori is in town. Every school ↓
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 Washington’s grade
C+: better than 41% of North Carolina school districts, #214 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Washington, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Washington
Eastern Elementary
Grades PK–1 · 484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Washington
Eastern Elementary
Grades PK–1 · 484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Washington
Eastern Elementary
Grades PK–1 · 484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Washington
John C Tayloe Elementary
Grades 2–3 · 382 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Washington
John C Tayloe Elementary
Grades 2–3 · 382 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Washington
John Small Elementary
Grades 4–5 · 379 students · 18:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Washington
John Small Elementary
Grades 4–5 · 379 students · 18:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Washington
P S Jones Middle
Grades 6–8 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Washington
P S Jones Middle
Grades 6–8 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Washington
P S Jones Middle
Grades 6–8 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Washington
Washington High
Grades 9–12 · 794 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Washington
Washington High
Grades 9–12 · 794 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Washington
Washington High
Grades 9–12 · 794 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Washington
Washington High
Grades 9–12 · 794 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Washington’s public schools are run by Beaufort County Schools, which also serves Aurora, Bath, Belhaven and Chocowinity 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.
Well below the state in reading
Washington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Washington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | C+ | Beaufort County Schools |
Every school in Washington
6 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 Washington’s schools
Are Washington’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Washington children attend score below 59% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #214 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 46%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Washington in?
Beaufort County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,601 students in 13 schools (2024–25).
Where do Washington kids go to high school?
Washington High, with 794 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Washington’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Beaufort County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Washington spend per student?
$13,416 in Beaufort County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Washington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Washington → 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.