It serves the westernmost third of Carteret County, including the towns of Peletier, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point and western half of the island of Bogue Banks, which includes the town of Emerald Isle.

In 2009 and 2010, U.S. News & World Report ranked Croatan among the top high schools in the United States, awarding the school silver medals.

[3] Croatan High School's class of 2010 marked combined SAT scores (based on math and critical reading) of 1076, up from 1064 the previous year, this was 59 points higher than the national average.

[4] All athletic teams compete in the 3A division level.

Croatan holds several state titles including men's soccer, wrestling, women's golf, men's indoor track, and women’s lacrosse.