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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Hanover County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 50 public schools serving 27,453 students in New Hanover County, NC (there are 24 private schools, serving 4,511 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in New Hanover County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in New Hanover County, NC are Wilmington Early College High School, Isaac M Bear Early College High School and Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in New Hanover County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wilmington Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 90-94% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4500 Blue Clay Rd, Wechs Bldg.
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 362-7789
Gr: 9-13 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Isaac M Bear Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
630 Macmillan Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-1387
Gr: 9-12 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
220 Coral Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-3171
Gr: K-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Masonboro Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3518 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 790-2355
Gr: K-5 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Ogden Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3637 Middle Sound Rd
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 686-6464
Gr: K-5 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6701 Gordon Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 397-1544
Gr: K-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
Dr John Codington Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4321 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2236
Gr: K-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
John T Hoggard High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4305 Shipyard Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2072
Gr: 9-12 | 2,082 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #99.
Heyward C Bellamy Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
70 Sanders Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-2039
Gr: K-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1010.
Holly Tree Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3020 Web Trace
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 790-2250
Gr: K-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1111.
Eugene Ashley High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
555 Halyburton Memorial Parkwy
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2360
Gr: 9-12 | 1,893 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1212.
Emsley A Laney High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2700 N College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2089
Gr: 9-12 | 2,243 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1313.
Charles P Murray Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
655 Halyburton Memorial Parkwy
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2363
Gr: 6-8 | 907 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
Porters Neck Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
416 Edgewater Club Rd
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 251-2975
Gr: K-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1515.
Cape Fear Center For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Wonder Way
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 362-0000
Gr: K-8 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Carolina Beach Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
400 South 4th St
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-4340
Gr: K-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Edwin A Anderson Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
455 Halyburton Memorial Parkwa
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 798-3311
Gr: K-5 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1818.
M C S Noble Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6520 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2112
Gr: 6-8 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Bradley Creek Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6211 Greenville Loop
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2051
Gr: K-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
New Hanover High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1307 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,437 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2121.
Sea-tech
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Gr: 9-13 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2222.
Roland-grise Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4412 Lake Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2136
Gr: 6-8 | 878 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2323.
Pine Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
440 John S Mosby Dr
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-2121
Gr: K-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2424.
Castle Hayne Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3925 Roger Haynes Drive
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 602-4970
Gr: PK-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2525.
Murrayville Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
225 Mabee Way
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Gr: PK-5 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2626.
Winter Park Model Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
204 S Macmillan Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2159
Gr: K-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2727.
Mary C Williams Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
801 Silver Lake Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-2150
Gr: K-5 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2828.
American Leadership Academy-coastal
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1135 Pandion Dr
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 839-0012
Gr: K-11 | 1,002 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2929.
Emma B Trask Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2900 N College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2142
Gr: 6-8 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3030.
Career Readiness Academy At Mosley Plc
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3702 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Gr: 9-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #3131.
Island Montessori Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6339 Carolina Beach Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 795-4860
Gr: K-8 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3232.
Myrtle Grove Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Piner Rd
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 350-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #3333.
Holly Shelter Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3921 Roger Haynes Dr
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 602-4046
Gr: 6-8 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3434.
Edwin A Alderman Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2025 Independence Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2031
Gr: K-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3535.
Classical Charter Schools Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
507 N 6th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763-1976
Gr: K-5 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Show 15 more public schools in New Hanover County, NC (out of 50 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in New Hanover County, NC?
How many public schools are located in New Hanover County?
51 public schools are located in New Hanover County.
What percentage of students in New Hanover County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in New Hanover County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?

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