Educational Facilities

From infancy through adulthood, lifelong learning opportunities are available in the New Bern area.

Pre-K Education
Many accredited preschools and day-care centers are available for infants through school age, including after-school care.

K-12 Education
The Craven County School System, which serves more than 14,809 city and county students, provides an appropriate public education to all students within its jurisdiction. The schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The system employs about 1,150 teaching professionals, 5% of whom have National Board Certification (and the number grows each year), and about 750 support personnel to staff fourteen elementary schools (kindergarten through fifth), five middle schools (sixth through eighth), and three high schools. Three of these schools operate on a year-round schedule; the others follow the traditional August-to-May calendar.

The average teacher-student ratio is 1:26. The school system offers a comprehensive curriculum based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. In addition to the traditional academic courses, the education program includes music, foreign language, art, dance, theater, athletics, computer classes, and advanced placement courses. All high schools are on block scheduling, which enables a student to take four complete courses the first semester and four courses the second semester for a total of eight per year. Craven County also offers support personnel and services, including school psychologists, social workers, school nurses, and special programs for exceptional children.

Optimum Student Achievement is the major strategic direction for the school system. Craven County students perform in the top 10% of school districts across the state. According to the most recent accountability report, nine schools in the system are Schools of Excellence, the highest award given to schools in the state, and ten schools are Schools of Distinction. Craven County Schools also lead the state in efforts to close the achievement gap among all students. For more information, visit

www.craven.k12.nc.us.

Epiphany School of Global Studies is a community of stimulating scholarship and faith for grades K-12. Epiphany’s renowned college preparatory program offers a challenging yet cultivating environment to prepare students to succeed in the future.  Epiphany’s values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SERVICE, and INTEGRITY are the focus of all we do.  Epiphany offers unique opportunities with school wide community service days and a global studies program with international travel, foreign language study and classroom exchanges. There are abundant athletic, performing arts, and fine arts opportunities for every student.  Excellent teachers who care about their students are at the core of Epiphany. Small class sizes and an 8:1 student to faculty ratio provide specific teaching for all students. Students have the advantage of on-site tutoring, and start meeting with their college advisor in grade 8.  The Epiphany School of Global Studies is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information contact Dr. Dwight Carlblom, Head of School at 252.638.0122 or visit our website at www.epiphanyglobalschool.org

Saint Paul Catholic School has been successfully educating New Bern’s youth since 1887.  All students, regardless of religion, race, or ethnic origin, are welcome at Saint Paul.  Our program includes a PK-3 program through 8th grade.  We believe in academic and Catholic programs.  In addition to the regular academic programs, Saint Paul offers Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Technology.  Saint Paul offers many extracurricular activities, as well, including, a strong athletic program, Science Olympiad, Yearbook, Young Authors, and more. Saint Paul faculty is certified through the North Carolina Department of Instruction.  The school is accredited through AdvancEd, a national accreditation association and a member of the National Catholic Education Association.  Saint Paul Catholic School, a mission of Saint Paul Parish, is dedicated to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social development of each student.  This, our mission statement, clearly states that we believe in educating the whole child.  A child’s education is the foundation of learning that will last a lifetime.  That lifetime of learning begins at Saint Paul Catholic School.

Postsecondary Education
With more than 3,000 curriculum students per semester and campuses in both New Bern and Havelock, Craven Community College is growing to meet the needs of eastern North Carolina. The college features a wide range of programs, including college transfer courses, two-year degree offerings, partnerships with four-year universities and specialized workforce training options. CCC has a top-flight faculty and boasts instruction in innovative programs such as aviation systems technology and information systems security. The college also is a leader in health care education, with an expanded nursing program, a medical assisting program and a new health information technology program. The college is home to the Bosch and Siemens Advanced Manufacturing Center, which provides state-of-the-art training in manufacturing methods and processes, and to Craven Early College, which is Craven County’s fourth public high school. Adult enrichment courses, fire and rescue training, basic skills programs and an award-winning Small Business Center help round out the college’s offerings to Craven County and the region.

Established locally in 1993, the University of Mount Olive is the only four-year, liberal arts institution in New Bern. Dedicated to higher education for adult students, the university offers bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, Business Management, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Religion, and Early Childhood Education. Students may also earn an associate's degree through our General Studies program. All programs are accelerated, nontraditional education, minimizing seat time and making earning a degree possible for the busy adult. Students have the option of taking seated or online classes. Classes begin throughout the year and meet for a four-hour session one night a week. Financial aid is also available. For more information, call 1-844-UMO-GOAL

School Websites:
University of Mount Olive - New Bern Campus
Craven Community College
Craven County Schools
The Epiphany School
St. Paul Catholic School