The only school district in Chowan County suffered declining enrollment in the 2022-23 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
There were 1,792 students in the halls of Edenton-Chowan Schools, 1.4% lower than the year before.
The enrollment numbers in Chowan County fell short of the state’s trend, which shows an overall increase in enrollment across the state.
Edenton-Chowan Schools has a main office in Edenton and is the only school district within Chowan County.
North Carolina’s public schools are facing a significant funding gap, with a per-student expenditure of $10,519 – well below the national average of $14,295.
This financial strain is further compounded by a significant challenge in staffing with a staggering 58.4% surge in vacant teaching positions in the 2021-22 school year, leaving over 5,000 classrooms without qualified instructors.
| School | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total Enrollment in 2021-22 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| John A. Holmes High School | 573 | 572 | 0.2% |
| Chowan Middle School | 424 | 426 | -0.5% |
| White Oak Elementary School | 412 | 405 | 1.7% |
| D. F. Walker Elementary School | 383 | 414 | -7.5% |
