The only school district in Washington County had declining enrollment in the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
There were 1,001 students in Washington County Schools, 3.7% lower than the year before.
The enrollment numbers in Washington County fell short of the state’s trend, which shows an overall increase in enrollment across North Carolina.
Washington County Schools has a main office in Plymouth and is the only school district within Washington County.
North Carolina’s student-teacher ratio is roughly 15.4 students per teacher, aligning with the national average. However, rising teacher turnover threatens to push class sizes higher, making it harder for students to get individualized attention.
If vacancies continue to grow, schools may struggle to maintain this ratio, impacting the quality of instruction. Districts in lower-funded areas face the biggest challenges, as limited budgets make it harder to attract and retain teachers.
| School | Total Enrollment in 2023-24 | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pines Elementary School | 381 | 376 | 1.3% |
| Pocosin Innovative Charter | 258 | 227 | 13.7% |
| Washington County High School | 256 | 254 | 0.8% |
| Washington County Middle School | 201 | 219 | -8.2% |
| Creswell Elementary School | 86 | 113 | -23.9% |
| Washington Early College High | 77 | 77 | 0% |
