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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Hanover County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 9,864 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in New Hanover County, NC are Wilmington Early College High School, Isaac M Bear Early College High School and John T Hoggard High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
New Hanover County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Emsley A Laney High School, with 92% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public High 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
J. C. Roe Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2875 Worth Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Gr: 6-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 93%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in New Hanover County, NC include Wilmington Early College High School, Isaac M Bear Early College High School and John T Hoggard High School.
How many public high schools are located in New Hanover County?
11 public high schools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public high schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?

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