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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Hanover County Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public charter schools serving 2,278 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in New Hanover County, NC are Cape Fear Center For Inquiry, American Leadership Academy-coastal and Island Montessori Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public charter school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in New Hanover County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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%
Rank: #55.
Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4100 Sunglow Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 338-5258
Gr: 6-12 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Wilmington School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1306 Floral Pkwy
Wilmington, NC 28406
(910) 399-3712
Gr: K-7 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Wilmington Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
134 Cinema Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 799-6776
Gr: K-8 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 90%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in New Hanover County, NC include Cape Fear Center For Inquiry, American Leadership Academy-coastal and Island Montessori Charter School.
How many public charter schools are located in New Hanover County?
7 public charter schools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public charter schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?

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