North Carolina, February 5, 2026
Public schools in North Carolina have seen a continuous decline in overall crime rates for the third consecutive year, with a notable 6.1% drop in reported incidents. However, the recent NCDPI report highlights a concerning increase in drug possession incidents, now representing the most frequent offense in schools. While violent crimes remain rare, this trend emphasizes the need for enhanced substance abuse education and intervention strategies to ensure student safety and well-being across the state.
Charlotte, NC – Public schools across North Carolina experienced a third consecutive year of declining overall crime rates during the 2024-2025 academic year, according to a recent report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). While this marks a positive trend in general school safety, the report highlights a notable increase in drug possession incidents statewide, presenting an ongoing challenge for educators and authorities.
Overall Decline in School Crime
The latest NCDPI data, released on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, indicates a significant reduction in total reported criminal acts within North Carolina’s public schools. The number of crimes decreased by approximately 6.1%, totaling 11,470 incidents for the 2024-2025 school year. When considering the student population, the crime rate also saw a decrease of about 8%, registering 7.43 incidents per 1,000 students. Specifically, instances of seven reportable crimes collectively fell by 6.6% to 11,168 from the previous academic year.
This downward trend reflects a continued effort in maintaining safer learning environments. Among the offenses that saw a decline were those involving weapons. Incidents related to the possession of a weapon on school grounds decreased by around 20%. Furthermore, the possession of firearms saw an even sharper decline, dropping by 34%.
Concerning Rise in Drug Possession
In contrast to the overall decrease in crime, the NCDPI report underscores a troubling increase in drug possession incidents. Possession of a controlled substance rose by 1.5%, making it the most frequently reported offense. This category alone constituted approximately 62% of all reportable offenses. When combined with possession of alcoholic beverages, these substance-related incidents accounted for around 67% of all reported offenses.
The issue of drug possession is particularly pronounced in higher grade levels. Data shows that the rate of controlled substance possession was more than three times higher in middle schools and a striking seven times higher in high schools compared to the next most common offense. The report defines controlled substances in accordance with G.S. §90-89 through 90-94 of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act, which includes substances such as marijuana, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Violent Crime Remains Rare, Though Slightly Increased
While the overall crime figures declined, the report noted a slight increase in incidents classified under one of nine “violent” categories, rising from 250 to 302 incidents. Despite this increase, such violent occurrences remain exceptionally rare within the school system, with a rate of 0.2 incidents per 1,000 students. These violent incidents represent a small fraction of the total, accounting for just 2.6% of all reported incidents. The rate for nine violent crimes specifically was 0.196 per 1,000 students.
Concentrated Incidents and Demographics
The NCDPI report further clarifies that criminal activity in schools is not broadly distributed but rather concentrated within a smaller segment of schools and students. A significant majority of schools, approximately 78%, reported between zero and five incidents, with 44% of schools reporting no incidents at all. Out of the roughly 1.5 million students across North Carolina, fewer than 1% (specifically 9,966 students) were involved in any reportable offense, indicating that more than 99% of students were not implicated in violent or reportable crimes.
Analysis of the data reveals that incidents tend to be concentrated in particular grade levels, during key transition years, and among students who are already navigating multiple challenges. The student subgroups identified with the highest rates of incidents include students with disabilities, Black students, economically disadvantaged students, and male students.
Addressing the Trends
The NCDPI’s findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to foster safe and supportive learning environments. The reduction in overall crime, particularly weapons offenses, suggests that existing safety protocols and prevention programs may be having a positive impact. However, the rise in drug possession incidents signals a need for enhanced focus on substance abuse education, prevention, and intervention strategies within schools. Addressing the specific challenges faced by vulnerable student populations, as identified in the report, will also be crucial for further improving school safety and well-being across North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the overall trend in crime rates in North Carolina schools for the 2024-2025 academic year?
- North Carolina schools saw a decrease in crimes for the third year in a row in the 2024-2025 school year. The number of reported crimes fell by around 6.1% to 11,470 incidents. The rate fell by about 8% to 7.43 incidents per 1,000 students. Overall instances of seven reportable crimes decreased by 6.6% to 11,168 in 2024-25 from the 2023-24 academic year.
- Did drug possession incidents increase or decrease in North Carolina schools?
- Possession of controlled substances increased by 1.5% and was the highest reportable offense. It accounted for approximately 62% of all reportable offenses, and 67% of all reportable offenses were possession of a controlled substance and possession of an alcoholic beverage (62% and 4.8% respectively).
- How rare are violent crimes in North Carolina schools?
- Incidents falling under one of nine “violent” categories increased from 250 to 302. However, these remain rare, occurring at a rate of 0.2 incidents per 1,000 students, accounting for just 2.6% of all incidents. Instances of nine violent crimes were rare with a 0.196 rate per 1,000.
- What types of crimes saw a decrease in North Carolina schools?
- Incidents involving possession of a weapon fell by around 20%, and incidents involving possession of a firearm fell by 34%.
- Which student groups in North Carolina had the highest incident rates?
- The student subgroups with the highest incident rates were students with disabilities, Black students, economically disadvantaged students, and male students.
- What percentage of North Carolina schools reported minimal or no criminal incidents?
- Approximately 78% of schools reported 0-5 incidents, with 44% reporting zero incidents.
Key Features of North Carolina School Safety Report (2024-2025)
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Decrease | 6.1% reduction in total incidents (11,470 total). 8% drop in rate (7.43 incidents per 1,000 students). | State-level |
| Drug Possession Incidents | 1.5% increase, highest reported offense (62% of all reportable offenses). | State-level |
| Violent Crime Rate | Increased from 250 to 302 incidents, but remains rare (0.2 incidents per 1,000 students). | State-level |
| Weapon Possession Decrease | 20% decrease in weapon possession; 34% decrease in firearm possession. | State-level |
| Schools with Low Incidents | 78% of schools reported 0-5 incidents; 44% reported zero incidents. | State-level |
| Student Involvement | Fewer than 1% (9,966 out of 1.5 million) of students involved in reportable offenses. | State-level |
| Most Affected Student Groups | Students with disabilities, Black students, economically disadvantaged students, and male students. | State-level |
| Academic Year Covered | 2024-2025 academic year. | State-level |
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