W Jesse Gurganus Elementary
Havelock, NC 28532
Phone: (252) 444-5150
Fax: (252) 444-5154
District: Craven County School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 350 students
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary, a public school located in Havelock, NC, serves grades K-5 in the Craven County School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary is a public school located in Havelock, NC. 350 students attend W Jesse Gurganus Elementary.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 9/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
| Student Growth | 2/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
Posted: October 18, 2017
Posted: October 18, 2017
Lead by example and the teachers speak down to their students and don't show compassion or respect.
Posted: October 18, 2017
The staff is rude and disrespectful to students and parents.
Posted: October 18, 2017
Won't work with students on a one to one basis and refuses services based on their opinions without requiring a second outside opinion.
Posted: October 18, 2017
The teachers and staff think they are above the needs of a child. My daughter came home from school stating another student made her uncomfortable and the teacher claimed she would call me and never did.
Posted: October 18, 2017
Overall disappointed in the lack of compassion and communication between staff and family members.
Posted: February 22, 2017
Excellent staff! Just a happy environment! My kids are thriving at this school! Coming from San Diego my kids were way behind, their teacher took extra care of them. The transition was hard but everyone at the school really cared and gave them so much extra help. Wonderful school!
Posted: May 11, 2015
A fantastic school so far! We're renting literally 5 minutes from our last rental and this school is great. Our girls used to go to GAB and Newport. GAB, W.J are both very nice. Newport I was unimpressed with. Havelock schools deserve more feedback because the teachers care a great deal for your child and everyone is very helpful. Very nice school.
Posted: May 6, 2015
We moved here in Aug 2014 and selected a home in this school district because of all the positive information. The growth and development I have seen in my child because of the education being provided by the outstanding staff has been amazing. The principal is very hands on, and seems to know most students on a first name basis. She is a caring and professional administrator, helpful with the children, and treats each child and parent with respect. Every time I go to the school for an event, to volunteer, eat lunch with my child, etc... Everyone I encounter is polite, professional, and kind. We are being forced by the county to re-district to another school for the 2015-2016 year. I am currently exhausting all options open to me to keep my child at WJG because I am confident that at WJG he will get quality education, caring teachers and staff, and he will feel comfortable in his environment. I do not have that same level of confidence with any of the other public schools in the district.
Posted: April 15, 2015
I have had both of my children attend WJG. My daughter was 1-5 and my son K-4, we're moving this summer :( My oldest had one rough year with her 2nd grade teacher being more expectant of the kids than she should have been. Maybe she should have been a 4-5th grade teacher. My son is a very active, very talkative but highly intelligent young man and all of his teachers have been wonderful with him. He is in AIG courses now in 4th and has been on honor roll all year. His older sister was selected for the Duke 7th Grade student talent search and is honor roll at Tucker Creek. Not everyone is going to have the same experiences but our family has had a great time being Gators and I feel my children received a high quality start to their educations.
Posted: May 6, 2014
Go Gators! This is the best school in Craven County. The teachers go out of their way to meet the needs of their students. My child's teacher is just a phone call or email away. The principal and assistant principal are friendly and always willing to listen to my suggestions. The school prides itself on high expectation of their students and their staff. The communication with my child's teacher is great and I know that my child is getting a top education. I would not have my child at any other school!
Posted: April 7, 2014
Great if you want your little children to be constantly yelled at. My child is a good student and still comes home crying.It is abusive! I am moving soon otherwise I would pull my kids immediately! The bullies rule here and when they try to tell on them they are told not to tattle! I was told that the teacher across the hall yells so loudly that it disrupts my child's school day!!! I know the teachers are underpaid and take on so much, but this is abuse and something needs to be done! This is 2014 and I know so many teachers that would be appalled by their behavior! How can you expect children to behave if this is the example you are setting? Shame on you!
Posted: December 2, 2013
The first year we attended this school was 2011 it was okay then but now is a different story. The staff treat people and kids like its some kind of detention school. This school has changed a lot of staff and teachers this year and last and it has not been for the better change is not always good as we can tell just look at the White House. I am sure that it will change staff and teacher again because it is on a destructive path. Run do not put your kids in this school.
Posted: October 26, 2013
Our grandson, John Michael, attends your school. We are long distance grandparents who follow the progress in education and activities of your school. Thank you for your continued efforts in education and participation. Sam and Gloria Overfelt
Posted: October 16, 2013
This is the best school in Havelock! As a teacher, I choose to work here and have enrolled my children here. There are many schools on my commute to work, this is THE BEST! Rigorous academics, active PAC, many researched-based programs in use and tons of technology in student hands!
Posted: February 15, 2013
My children have attended WJG for the past three years and I could not be happier. It has become a loving home for them and we are heartbroken to be moving at the end of this school year. The teachers they have had truly love their students and strive to help them succeed. I have been an active volunteer there and have always been welcomed with open arms. We love Mrs. Hurst and Mr. Fonville and feel they are a great team to lead the administration of this school. Teachers such as Mrs. Huber, Mrs. Sabdo and Ms. Loague are a true example of what it means to be an educator. My children have flourished under their teaching and I will forever be grateful. I highly recommend this school to anyone moving to the Havelock area!
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MacDonald Downs | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Havelock | NC | 0.9 mi | |
| 2 | Stonebridge Trail | Area of Town | Havelock | NC | 1.3 mi | |
| 3 | Cherry Branch | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Havelock | NC | 7.9 mi | |
| 4 | Evans Mill | Neighborhood/Subdivision | New Bern | NC | 8.6 mi | |
| 5 | Star Hill North | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Cape Carteret | NC | 14.9 mi | |
| 6 | River Bend | Neighborhood/Subdivision | New Bern | NC | 16.2 mi | |
| 7 | Eastman Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Beaufort | NC | 16.8 mi | |
| 8 | River Reach | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Swansboro | NC | 17.1 mi | |
| 9 | Marsh Harbour | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Cedar Point | NC | 17.1 mi | |
| 10 | Deer Park | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Swansboro | NC | 18.2 mi | |
| 11 | Hall Creek - North | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Swansboro | NC | 19.1 mi | |
| 12 | Trailwood | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Hubert | NC | 20.2 mi | |
| 13 | Carolina Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Jacksonville | NC | 24 mi | |
| 14 | Country Club Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Jacksonville | NC | 25.3 mi | |
| 15 | Carolina Forest | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Jacksonville | NC | 27.7 mi | |
| 16 | WilliamsburgPlantation | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Jacksonville | NC | 29.4 mi | |
| 17 | Timber Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Jacksonville | NC | 30.1 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerald Isle | Emerald Isle | NC | 16 mi | |
| 2 | New Bern High School Area | New Bern | NC | 16.4 mi | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Cedar Point | NC | 17 mi | |
| 4 | Swansboro | Swansboro | NC | 18.4 mi | |
| 5 | Downtown Swansboro | Swansboro | NC | 18.4 mi | |
| 6 | Swansboro, NC | Swansboro | NC | 18.8 mi | |
| 7 | Hubert | Hubert | NC | 22 mi | |
| 8 | Piney green | Jacksonville | NC | 24.8 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Cherry Point MCAS | 2.5 mi. |
| Coast Guard Fort Macon | 20.9 mi. |
| Camp Lejeune | 27.5 mi. |
| New River MCAS | 31.8 mi. |
| Stone Bay | 40.1 mi. |
