Best Schools in New Hanover County, NC
New Hanover County, NC has 77 public schools (13 high, 10 middle, 45 elementary) serving 40,233 students. On average they score 58% on state proficiency tests against a projected 50%, so schools in New Hanover County meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in New Hanover County, NC
The top high schools in New Hanover County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Isaac M Bear Early College High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 226 Students
2. Sea-tech
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 13 • 230 Students
3. Topsail High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pender County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1777 Students
4. Wilmington Early College High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 13 • 255 Students
5. John T Hoggard High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2226 Students
6. Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington • Charter • Grades 6 - 12 • 385 Students
7. Eugene Ashley High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1975 Students
8. South Brunswick High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Brunswick County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1172 Students
9. North Brunswick High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Brunswick County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1450 Students
10. Emsley A Laney High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2220 Students
Best Middle Schools in New Hanover County, NC
The top middle schools in New Hanover County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Charles P Murray Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 882 Students
2. Topsail Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pender County Schools • Public • Grades 5 - 8 • 807 Students
3. Roland-grise Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 860 Students
4. M C S Noble Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 652 Students
5. Myrtle Grove Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 645 Students
6. Holly Shelter Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 858 Students
7. South Brunswick Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Brunswick County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 572 Students
8. Emma B Trask Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 673 Students
9. Leland Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Brunswick County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 780 Students
10. Williston Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 683 Students
Best Elementary Schools in New Hanover County, NC
The top elementary schools in New Hanover County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Wrightsville Beach Elem
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 263 Students
2. Masonboro Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 575 Students
3. Ogden Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 641 Students
4. Carolina Beach Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 431 Students
5. Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 440 Students
6. Heyward C Bellamy Elem
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 556 Students
7. Topsail Annandale Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pender County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 631 Students
8. Porters Neck Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 605 Students
9. Holly Tree Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 423 Students
10. Dr John Codington Elem
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
New Hanover County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 441 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in New Hanover County, NC
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
New Hanover County, NC has a total population of 225,702 with 23% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 93%, and 44% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in New Hanover County, NC
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood New Hanover County, NC.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
29.76 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
3.80 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
25.96 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in New Hanover County, NC.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for New Hanover County, NC.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit New Hanover County, NC Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in New Hanover County, NC
How many schools are in New Hanover County, NC?
New Hanover County, NC has 77 public schools: 13 high schools, 10 middle schools and 45 elementary schools, serving 40,233 students in total.
How do schools in New Hanover County perform on state tests?
On average, 77 schools in New Hanover County score 58% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 50%, so on average schools in New Hanover County meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in New Hanover County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near New Hanover County, NC
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 56%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 48%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 57%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 45%
- Projected: 42%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 49%
- Projected: 42%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 61%
- Projected: 40%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 67%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 44%
- Projected: 32%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 33%
- Projected: 20%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 39%
- Projected: 24%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in New Hanover County
4 places in New Hanover County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (4)
- Wilmington (35)
- Castle Hayne (4)
- Carolina Beach (1)
- Wrightsville Beach (1)
School districts (1)
- New Hanover County Schools (42 schools)