The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Math. The lowest is 45% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on John C Tayloe Elementary
John C Tayloe Elementary serves grades two and three in Washington, a small coastal city on the Pamlico River in Beaufort County. The school sits on a separated campus outside downtown, in a district that is about to undergo a major reconfiguration: Tayloe is scheduled to close in August 2026 when it consolidates with Eastern Elementary to form a new, single PreK-3 building on the Eastern Elementary site. That transition is funded by a substantial state capital grant and represents a lasting change in how the county's youngest students will be housed and served.
Academically, Tayloe's results show mixed performance. In math, roughly half of third-graders tested met or exceeded proficiency on North Carolina's End-of-Grade Tests. In English language arts, the share was lower, with fewer than half reaching proficiency. These numbers reflect the reality of a student population with deep economic need: nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a proxy for family income below the federal threshold. The enrollment is small for its grade band—distributed evenly between grades two and three—and the student body is racially and ethnically diverse, with students who are Black, Hispanic, and white represented in substantial shares, along with smaller numbers of students identifying as Asian or multiracial. Data on special education or English learner enrollment was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and what support services are in place.
Washington itself is a town with deep roots and waterfront character. The downtown Harbor District is walkable and anchored to the river, with galleries, restaurants, and shops within a short walk of the historic boardwalk. The broader city is home to major employers including ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and several manufacturing operations, and civic life clusters around landmarks like the Brown Library, Stewart Parkway, and the NC Estuarium. Housing is affordable relative to state averages, though the local stock skews older, reflecting slower historical turnover. There are signs of recent growth: new waterfront subdivisions have been built to match the historic aesthetic, and the downtown revitalization program has brought new restaurants and retail each year.
The broader school district has embraced the Science of Reading approach through mandatory LETRS training for all elementary teachers and administrators. This is a statewide mandate under North Carolina's 2021 education law, but it shapes how early reading is actually taught in classrooms. Additionally, all Beaufort County schools must now comply with a new state law prohibiting students from having cellphones turned on during instruction time, a change that takes effect this school year and affects daily classroom routines.
For families considering Tayloe, the immediate reality is that the school exists in a transitional moment. The consolidation into a new building means enrollment questions, staffing stability, and the texture of the current school community are all in motion. At the same time, the move is backed by a state capital investment and will create a larger, purpose-built facility serving PreK through third grade in one location rather than two. A parent may want to reach out to the district directly about the transition timeline, how students will be supported during the move, and what the new building will offer beyond the current separate campuses. The academic profile and the composition of the student body are what they are; the question for families is whether this school's setting, size, community, and the imminent consolidation align with what their child needs.
See more original research from School Decision →