Providing a rigorous and relevant curriculum delivered by faculty and staff in caring relationships with students — that is the key to a quality education. And that is the focus of the Carteret County Public School System, whose mission is to graduate all students prepared to be productive citizens. Carteret County Public School System focuses on providing a quality education to its approximately 8,598 students enrolled in 16 schools and 107 pre-kindergartens (enrollment figures for 2010-2011 school year) . The schools are located throughout Carteret County, from Atlantic Beach to Cape Carteret.
With about 1,140 employees, the school system is the largest employer in the county.
Carteret County public schools are governed by an elected seven-member board of education. Members serve four-year staggered terms and are chosen in county-wide, nonpartisan elections. School board members meet in open session each month.