The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 39% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Grifton
Grifton School serves prekindergarten through eighth grade in a small rural town straddling Pitt and Lenoir counties along Contentnea Creek. The school sits outside the historic downtown core as a separate campus within Pitt County Schools. It is a neighborhood school drawing from Grifton and its immediate environs, serving a student body that is economically stressed and diverse.
The school's enrollment is small, distributed across nine grade levels from pre-K through eighth. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the community. The student body is roughly evenly split among Black, white, and mixed-race or other students, with a meaningful Hispanic enrollment as well. The school does not publish data on students with disabilities or English learners, which is typical for schools of this type and size where specific breakdowns may not be separately reported.
State testing results for the 2024-25 school year show moderate proficiency. In mathematics for grades three through eight, about four in ten students scored at proficiency level or above. In English language arts for the same grades, roughly four in ten students met that mark. Science proficiency was somewhat higher, at about one in two students, though the state's science test changed format and cut scores that year, so year-to-year trend comparison is not possible. Across these three subjects, the school's results sit below what many districts achieve statewide, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how it is working to close these gaps and what resources or interventions are in place.
The school carries no letter grade and does not issue a state ranking. Comparison data across Pitt County's districts is not available at the school level, so there is no local peer benchmark to consult. The school does not report a graduation rate because it does not serve grades nine through twelve; students transition after eighth grade to Ayden-Grifton High School, which serves both towns.
Grifton itself is in a growth phase following completion of the NC-11 bypass in late 2024. The town has historically been quiet and tradition-oriented, anchored by its creekside downtown, churches, and annual Shad Festival. Recent years have brought new residential construction—dozens of homes across subdivisions including Harris Landing—as families seek a bedroom community within commuting distance of Greenville. The town markets itself as family-focused and remains car-dependent; essential shopping and services require driving to nearby Greenville or Kinston. A small Food Pride and Dollar General serve daily needs. Housing values in the area are moderate, well below state and national medians, making the town affordable relative to broader regional markets.
Pitt County Schools district has undergone two significant policy shifts relevant to families considering the area. In June 2025 the Board of Education eliminated its Commitment to Diversity policy and rescinded references to diversity, equity, and inclusion across roughly a dozen district policies. Additionally, the district announced a long-range facilities plan in 2025 showing substantial deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure across its buildings, with plans that may include building consolidation and student reassignments between 2026 and 2030. A property-tax impact is possible depending on whether county leadership holds a bond referendum to finance improvements. The district also approved additional funding to increase employee compensation after a salary study found Pitt County Schools workers earned less than peers elsewhere, a change aimed at retention.
Grifton School offers the core instructional program for elementary and middle grades in a small-town setting. The school's test results and economic profile suggest families should approach enrollment with clear eyes about current academic performance and ask the school directly about improvement efforts, professional development for teachers, additional services, and the timeline for any changes. For families relocating to the Grifton area or seeking a small, close-knit school community, the school represents a traditional neighborhood option with notable economic and academic headwinds to weigh.
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