There were 4,920 students enrolled in Dare County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 10.8% more than the previous year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
First Flight High School registered the highest enrollment among Dare County’s 11 schools in the 2023-24 school year, welcoming 897 students.
Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).
Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.
| School name | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total Enrollment in 2023-24 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Flight High School | 927 | 897 | -3.2% |
| First Flight Middle School | 610 | 615 | 0.8% |
| Manteo Elementary School | 627 | 614 | -2.1% |
| Manteo High School | – | 505 | – |
| Nags Head Elementary School | 489 | 473 | -3.3% |
| Kitty Hawk Elementary School | 451 | 454 | 0.7% |
| Manteo Middle School | 373 | 395 | 5.9% |
| Cape Hatteras Secondary School | 353 | 355 | 0.6% |
| First Flight Elementary School | 293 | 293 | 0% |
| Cape Hatteras Elementary School | 297 | 289 | -2.7% |
| Dare Learning Academy | 20 | 30 | 50% |
