Northampton County Schools & Education
Northampton County, North Carolina
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
38/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Lower Signal
Graduation Rate
82.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,824
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
38/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 40/100
State Score Position
#40
of 100 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Northampton County
Measured School Summary
Northampton County faces educational challenges with a school score of 38/100 and a graduation rate of 82.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,824 per pupil, Northampton County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Northampton County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
6 public schools and 2 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
38/100
Lower measured signal. Ranks #40 of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data.
Completion
82.9%
5.1 pts below the state average
Funding context
$7,824
$855 above the state average
School coverage
6
2 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
The county-level signal is lower, so review individual schools and local records before interpreting the score. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Northampton County has 6 public schools across 2 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Northampton County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Small-system county
Northampton County has a compact public-school footprint. A single school change, boundary rule, or district update can move the lived experience more than the county score suggests.
State position
#40
of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data. The county score is 2 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory
Other grade structure
1,286 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
Northampton County Schools
Elementary to high school visible
1,120 students
5 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Northampton County Schools is the largest listed district slice, with 6 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Northampton County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Northampton County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Northampton County, North Carolina
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Small, Focused Rural School System
Northampton County operates 6 public schools that serve a total of 2,406 students. The landscape consists of 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 2 specialized learning centers. This compact infrastructure ensures a localized approach to education across the county's two districts.
A Balance of Traditional and Charter Education
The student population is split almost evenly between Northampton County Schools and the KIPP Gaston College Preparatory charter. KIPP Gaston serves 1,286 students in a single K-12 facility, representing nearly 17% of the county's school options. This dual-district structure provides families with distinct paths for their children’s education.
The Quiet Charm of Rural Classrooms
Education here feels personal, with four rural schools and two schools in town settings. While KIPP Gaston is the largest at 1,286 students, traditional schools like Northampton County High are much smaller, serving just 240 students. The average school size across the county is 401 students, fostering a close-knit community feel.
School Overview
Total Schools
6
in Northampton County
Reported Enrollment
2,406
6 schools reporting
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
1
17% of total
School Level Breakdown
2 School Districts in Northampton County
Northampton County Schools
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory
6 Public Schools in Northampton County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 6 of 6 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIPP Gaston College Preparatory | Profile | KIPP Gaston College Preparatory | Gaston, 27832Town: Distant | KG–12 | Charter | 1,286 |
| Gaston STEM Leadership Academy | Record | Northampton County Schools | Gaston, 27832Town: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 286 |
| Conway Middle | Record | Northampton County Schools | Conway, 27820Rural: Distant | 4–8 | Middle | 283 |
| Central Elementary | Record | Northampton County Schools | Jackson, 27845Rural: Distant | PK–3 | Primary | 275 |
| Northampton County High School | Record | Northampton County Schools | Gaston, 27832Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 240 |
| Northampton Virtual Academy | Record | Northampton County Schools | Jackson, 27845Rural: Distant | KG–12 | Virtual | 36 |
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory
Gaston, 27832 / Town: Distant
Gaston STEM Leadership Academy
Northampton County Schools
Gaston, 27832 / Town: Distant
Central Elementary
Northampton County Schools
Jackson, 27845 / Rural: Distant
Northampton County High School
Northampton County Schools
Gaston, 27832 / Rural: Fringe
Northampton Virtual Academy
Northampton County Schools
Jackson, 27845 / Rural: Distant
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,824
State avg $6,969
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Northampton County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which North Carolina counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in North Carolina?
How should I read the school score in Northampton County?
What is the graduation rate in Northampton County?
How much does Northampton County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Northampton County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Northampton County, North Carolina?
Northampton County operates 6 public schools that serve a total of 2,406 students. The landscape consists of 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 2 specialized learning centers. This compact infrastructure ensures a localized approach to education across the county's two districts.
What are the major school districts in Northampton County, North Carolina?
The student population is split almost evenly between Northampton County Schools and the KIPP Gaston College Preparatory charter. KIPP Gaston serves 1,286 students in a single K-12 facility, representing nearly 17% of the county's school options. This dual-district structure provides families with distinct paths for their children’s education.
What is the school experience like in Northampton County?
Education here feels personal, with four rural schools and two schools in town settings. While KIPP Gaston is the largest at 1,286 students, traditional schools like Northampton County High are much smaller, serving just 240 students. The average school size across the county is 401 students, fostering a close-knit community feel.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.