Photo: NCDOTcommunications · CC BY 2.0Wilmington’s public schools outscore 63% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Wilmington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Wilmington, 57% of tested students 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.
Wilmington’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 329 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Wilmington’s, its schools beat 75%, 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 ↓
14 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry, Wilmington Preparatory Academy, Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington, Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington, St. Mark Catholic School (private), Friends School of Wilmington (private), Providence Preparatory Academy (private), Peace Rose Montessori (private), Peace Rose Montessori School (private), New Horizons Elementary School (private), Calvary Christian School (private), Hill School of Wilmington (private), Waterview Learning Academy (private), Pine Valley MC Wee Care Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Southeastern Autism Academy (private), Pathways Middle and High (private) and The James B Dudley Academy (private) are in town. Wilmington School of the Arts, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Wilmington’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 Wilmington, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Wilmington · depends on your address
John T Hoggard High
Grades 9–12 · 2,082 students · 20:1 students per teacher
New Hanover High
Grades 9–12 · 1,437 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Isaac M Bear Early College High School
Grades 9–12 · 260 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Wilmington · depends on your address
John T Hoggard High
Grades 9–12 · 2,082 students · 20:1 students per teacher
New Hanover High
Grades 9–12 · 1,437 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Isaac M Bear Early College High School
Grades 9–12 · 260 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Wilmington’s public schools are run by New Hanover County Schools, which also serves Carolina Beach, Kure Beach 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
Wilmington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Wilmington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | B | New Hanover County Schools |
Every school in Wilmington
41 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (J. C. Roe Center).
Questions about Wilmington’s schools
Are Wilmington’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Wilmington 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 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Wilmington in?
New Hanover County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 24,791 students in 42 schools (2024–25).
Where do Wilmington kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: John T Hoggard High, New Hanover High and Isaac M Bear Early College High School.
What is Wilmington’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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
Yes: St. Mark Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 514 students), Friends School of Wilmington (religious, grades PK–8, 187 students), Providence Preparatory Academy (religious, grades K–12, 141 students), Peace Rose Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 121 students), Peace Rose Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 117 students), New Horizons Elementary School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 99 students), Calvary Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 84 students), Hill School of Wilmington (special education, grades 1–8, 65 students), Waterview Learning Academy (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 47 students), Pine Valley MC Wee Care Preschool & Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 44 students), Southeastern Autism Academy (special education, grades 2–12, 43 students), Pathways Middle and High (religious, grades 7–12, 26 students) and The James B Dudley Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 25 students). Wilmington also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Wilmington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wilmington → 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.