Silver Lake’s public schools outscore 63% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Silver Lake, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 57% of Silver Lake’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.
Silver Lake’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 300 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Silver Lake’s, its schools beat 71%, 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 ↓
One elementary school, then eight middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Innovative Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
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 Silver Lake’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 Silver Lake, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Silver Lake
Mary C Williams Elementary
Grades K–5 · 355 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
1st grade in Silver Lake
Mary C Williams Elementary
Grades K–5 · 355 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
2nd grade in Silver Lake
Mary C Williams Elementary
Grades K–5 · 355 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
3rd grade in Silver Lake
Mary C Williams Elementary
Grades K–5 · 355 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
4th grade in Silver Lake
Mary C Williams Elementary
Grades K–5 · 355 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
5th grade in Silver Lake
Mary C Williams Elementary
Grades K–5 · 355 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Wilmington
Silver Lake’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
Silver Lake vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Silver Lake’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Lake | B | New Hanover County Schools |
| Wilmington | B | New Hanover County Schools |
Every school in Silver Lake
16 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 Silver Lake’s schools
Are Silver Lake’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Silver Lake 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 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Silver Lake in?
New Hanover County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 24,791 students in 42 schools (2024–25).
Where do Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake’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 Silver Lake spend per student?
$14,042 in New Hanover County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Silver Lake?
Yes: Innovative Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 10 students).
Parents talk
What Silver Lake families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Silver Lake → 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.