Top Rankings
New Hanover County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 8,658 students in New Hanover County Schools School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in New Hanover County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in New Hanover County School School District have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Isaac M Bear Early College High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
43 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
24,978 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
1,682 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
New Hanover County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has increased from 83% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#111 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
63%
Graduation Rate
89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.70
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
4%
% Hispanic
19%
20%
% Black
16%
24%
% White
57%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,729 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,991 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$293 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$300 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,729
$11,187
Spending / Student
$11,991
$11,612
Best New Hanover County Schools School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Wilmington Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 90-94% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4500 Blue Clay Rd, Wechs Bldg.
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 362-7789
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 362-7789
Grades: 9-13
| 241 students
Rank: #22.
Isaac M Bear Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
630 Macmillan Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-1387
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-1387
Grades: 9-12
| 251 students
Rank: #33.
John T Hoggard High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4305 Shipyard Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2072
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2072
Grades: 9-12
| 2,178 students
Rank: #44.
Eugene Ashley High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
555 Halyburton Memorial Parkwy
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2360
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2360
Grades: 9-12
| 1,899 students
Rank: #55.
Emsley A Laney High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2700 N College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2089
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2089
Grades: 9-12
| 2,248 students
Rank: #66.
New Hanover High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1307 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6100
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6100
Grades: 9-12
| 1,515 students
Rank: #77.
Sea-tech
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Grades: 9-13
| 228 students
Rank: #88.
Career Readiness Academy At Mosley Plc
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3702 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Grades: 6-12
| 86 students
Rank: #99.
J. C. Roe Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2875 Worth Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Grades: 6-12
| 12 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
