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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Hanover County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public middle schools serving 7,887 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in New Hanover County, NC are Charles P Murray Middle School, Cape Fear Center For Inquiry and M C S Noble Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in New Hanover County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
The International School At Gregory
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1106 Ann St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6185
Gr: K-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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%
Rank: #1414.
Williston Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
401 S 10th St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6906
Gr: 6-8 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Lake Forest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1802 S 15th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 772-2515
Gr: K-8 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1717.
D.c. Virgo Preparatory Academy
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
813 Nixon Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Gr: K-8 | 162 students Minority enrollment: 96%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in New Hanover County, NC include Charles P Murray Middle School, Cape Fear Center For Inquiry and M C S Noble Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in New Hanover County?
17 public middle schools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public middle schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?

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