Northchase’s public schools outscore 63% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Northchase, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 57% of Northchase’s students scored proficient, 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.
Northchase’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 332 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Northchase’s, its schools beat 77%, higher than their 63% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
25 elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Emma B Trask Middle, then Emsley A Laney High. 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 Northchase’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 Northchase, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Northchase
Emma B Trask Middle
Grades 6–8 · 611 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
7th grade in Northchase
Emma B Trask Middle
Grades 6–8 · 611 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
8th grade in Northchase
Emma B Trask Middle
Grades 6–8 · 611 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
9th grade in Northchase
Emsley A Laney High
Grades 9–12 · 2,243 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
10th grade in Northchase
Emsley A Laney High
Grades 9–12 · 2,243 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
11th grade in Northchase
Emsley A Laney High
Grades 9–12 · 2,243 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
12th grade in Northchase
Emsley A Laney High
Grades 9–12 · 2,243 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
Northchase’s public schools are run by New Hanover County Schools, which also serves Carolina Beach, 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
Northchase vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Northchase’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Northchase | B | New Hanover County Schools |
Every school in Northchase
27 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 Northchase’s schools
Are Northchase’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Northchase 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 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Northchase in?
New Hanover County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 24,791 students in 42 schools (2024–25).
Where do Northchase kids go to high school?
Emsley A Laney High in Wilmington, with 2,243 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Northchase’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 Northchase 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 Northchase families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Northchase → 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.