Onslow County Schools, NC

Original Research by School Decision on Onslow County Schools

Onslow County Schools is a public district serving kindergarten through grade twelve across seven towns in eastern North Carolina: Holly Ridge, Hubert, Jacksonville, Maysville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry, and Swansboro. The district encompasses an enrollment of roughly twenty-seven thousand students spread across forty schools including elementary, middle, high, early college, and virtual options.

The district's latest state testing shows modest proficiency across grades three through eight. In English language arts, about half of students tested scored at proficiency or above. Math proficiency runs slightly lower, also hovering near the midpoint. Science proficiency, tested in fewer grades, sits somewhat higher. These results reflect a district where academic performance is close to the middle, and a parent evaluating the district may want to look further into what instructional supports are available for students who are not yet meeting grade-level standards.

Onslow County Schools has made three visible, lasting changes to curriculum and daily operations since 2021. In 2020-21, the district adopted literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading for all kindergarten through grade three students. This replaced prior approaches and now shapes how every early elementary student learns foundational reading skills, using daily instruction blocks focused on phonics and foundational skills paired with diagnostic tools to place students into tiered interventions. Beginning in 2023-24, the district implemented standardized school bell times across all grade levels and a cell phone policy barring students from using, activating, displaying, or possessing visible devices during the instructional day. In 2025, the policy was expanded to include smartwatches, aligning with a new state law. These changes reshape bus schedules, after-school childcare logistics, and student device access during the school day. The district has also rolled out generative AI tools in high school classrooms district-wide, with staff at all grade levels granted access and curriculum-driven chatbots and writing-feedback tools now part of instruction. The district published guiding principles for AI use covering security, privacy, ethics, and curriculum integration.

The housing market in Onslow County towns served by the district shows variation. Median home values range from lower in some zip codes to substantially higher in others, with Holly Ridge commanding notably high values and most other communities clustered in a middle band. Rental markets similarly vary. Mortgage costs relative to median household income sit moderately above the national benchmark. The unemployment rate is stable. For families considering a move into the district, housing affordability depends significantly on which of the seven towns they choose.

Demographic composition across the district is diverse. White students represent just over half the student body. Hispanic students and Black students together make up roughly a third of enrollment. Asian students, students of two or more races, and other groups round out the remainder. Free-or-reduced-price lunch rates and counts were not available in the data provided.

The district operates two schools of note for families exploring pathways beyond traditional high school. Onslow Early College enrolls high school students in college coursework, and Onslow Virtual School serves students whose learning needs or schedules fit the online model. The district also maintains a virtual elementary option, though it is currently closed.

Graduation rates and four-year college-going data were not available. Statewide comparisons were also not available, as the county has only one other public school district, and comparison metrics require a larger cohort.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

27,592

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 17%

Black 16%

White 55%

Asian 1%

Two+ 10%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

39%

60%

Gr 4

54%

74%

Gr 5

49%

65%

Gr 6

41%

60%

Gr 7

46%

66%

Gr 8

48%

69%

Gr 38

46%

65%

Math

Gr 3

54%

74%

Gr 4

48%

70%

Gr 5

44%

65%

Gr 6

41%

65%

Gr 7

42%

65%

Gr 8

34%

60%

Gr 38

44%

66%

Science

Gr 5

47%

68%

Gr 8

48%

71%

Gr 38

48%

69%

Schools in this District

40 schools are officially reported under this district.

Southwest Elementary

Bell Fork Elementary

Blue Creek Elementary

Clyde Erwin Elementary

Dixon High

Jacksonville High

Morton Elementary

Northwoods Elementary

Northwoods Park Middle

Parkwood Elementary

Richlands Elementary

Richlands High

Silverdale Elementary

Southwest High

Summersill Elementary

Jacksonville Commons Elem

Hunters Creek Elementary

Jacksonville Commons Middle

New Bridge Middle

Queens Creek Elementary

Sand Ridge Elementary

Northside High

Heritage Elementary School

Carolina Forest Elementary

Meadow View Elementary

Stateside Elementary

Onslow Early College

Onslow Virtual School

Coastal Elementary

Onslow Virtual Elementary

Clear View Elementary

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

55%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

55%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

58%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$312,029

Year-over-year change+3.4%

Range across 14 ZIP codes$164K to $524K

vs. state typical0.93x

vs. national typical0.85x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (14 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
28574	Richlands	$276K	+4.5%	18.1%
28546	Jacksonville	$268K	+3.5%	16.5%
28540	Jacksonville	$259K	+4.0%	14.8%
28445	Holly Ridge	$524K	+1.6%	14.6%
28555	Maysville	$235K	+4.3%	11.4%
28539	Hubert	$285K	+4.0%	7.2%
28454	Maple Hill	$276K	+2.8%	6.8%
28460	Sneads Ferry	$401K	+1.2%	4.4%
28518	Beulaville	$225K	+2.3%	1.7%
28584		$402K	+2.3%	1.5%
28582	Stella	$381K	+2.5%	1.2%
28544	Midway Park	$202K	+1.1%	0.4%
28521	Chinquapin	$214K	+3.4%	0.2%
28572	Pink Hill	$164K	+7.5%	0.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,545/mo

Year-over-year change+2.7%

Range across 8 ZIP codes$1,323 to $2,042/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (8 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
28574	Richlands	$1,565	—	18.1%
28546	Jacksonville	$1,360	+3.0%	16.5%
28540	Jacksonville	$1,323	+2.7%	14.8%
28445	Holly Ridge	$1,814	+1.4%	14.6%
28539	Hubert	$1,483	+3.0%	7.2%
28460	Sneads Ferry	$1,944	+5.5%	4.4%
28584		$2,042	—	1.5%
28544	Midway Park	$1,433	+0.5%	0.4%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,575/mo

Home price / national median income3.7x

Annual rent / national median income22.1%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$30/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$337,273 (-0.2% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.