Photo: Annebethmi · CC BY-SA 3.0Carolina Beach’s public schools outscore 63% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Carolina Beach, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 57% of students in Carolina Beach’s public schools are proficient in math, above the North Carolina average (51%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Carolina Beach’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,042 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then eight middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Carolina Beach’s grade
B: better than 63% of North Carolina school districts, #83 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carolina Beach, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Elementary
Grades K–5 · 383 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Elementary
Grades K–5 · 383 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Elementary
Grades K–5 · 383 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Elementary
Grades K–5 · 383 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Elementary
Grades K–5 · 383 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Elementary
Grades K–5 · 383 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Carolina Beach’s public schools are run by New Hanover County Schools, which also serves Kure Beach, Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Carolina Beach vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Carolina Beach’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Beach | B | New Hanover County Schools |
| Kure Beach | B | New Hanover County Schools |
Every school in Carolina Beach
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Carolina Beach’s schools
Are Carolina Beach’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Carolina Beach children attend outscore 63% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #83 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 64%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carolina Beach in?
New Hanover County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 24,791 students in 42 schools (2024–25).
Where do Carolina Beach kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Emsley A Laney High, John T Hoggard High, Eugene Ashley High, New Hanover High, Wilmington Early College High and Isaac M Bear Early College High School.
What is Carolina Beach’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in New Hanover County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Carolina Beach spend per student?
$14,042 in New Hanover County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Carolina Beach families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carolina Beach → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.