New Hanover County Schools & Education
New Hanover County, North Carolina
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
37/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Lower Signal
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,880
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
37/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 40/100
State Score Position
#44
of 100 counties by score
Education Data Brief: New Hanover County
Measured School Summary
New Hanover County faces educational challenges with a school score of 37/100 and a graduation rate of 88.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,880 per pupil, New Hanover County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 7% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read New Hanover County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
50 public schools and 9 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
37/100
Lower measured signal. Ranks #44 of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data.
Completion
88.0%
matches the state average
Funding context
$6,880
$89 below the state average
School coverage
50
9 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
The county-level signal is lower, so review individual schools and local records before interpreting the score. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
New Hanover County has 50 public schools across 9 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What New Hanover County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
New Hanover County Schools carries most of the listed public-school system, with 42 of 50 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#44
of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data. The county score is 3 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
New Hanover County Schools
Elementary to high school visible
25,244 students
42 listed schools in this county slice.
American Leadership Academy-Coastal
Other grade structure
777 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry
Elementary school only in this slice
409 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
High school only in this slice
385 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
New Hanover County Schools is the largest listed district slice, with 42 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in New Hanover County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different New Hanover County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in New Hanover County, North Carolina
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Coastal Education Hub with 50 Schools
New Hanover County maintains a robust educational infrastructure with 50 public schools serving 27,668 students across 9 districts. The system includes 32 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 10 high schools to support its growing population. This extensive network provides a solid foundation for families living in the Wilmington area.
Diverse District Options and Charter Choice
New Hanover County Schools is the primary provider, educating 25,244 students across 42 schools. Families also have access to 7 charter schools, representing 14% of the total school landscape. Specialized options like the Cape Fear Center for Inquiry offer smaller environments with 409 enrolled students.
Urban and Suburban Learning Environments
Most students attend school in city or suburban settings, with only four schools located in rural areas. While the average school size is 553 students, high schools like John T Hoggard serve over 2,200 students, creating a large-campus atmosphere. Conversely, the Wilmington Preparatory Academy offers a more intimate setting with just 97 students.
School Overview
Total Schools
50
in New Hanover County
Reported Enrollment
27,668
50 schools reporting
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
7
14% of total
School Level Breakdown
9 School Districts in New Hanover County
New Hanover County Schools
GuideAmerican Leadership Academy-Coastal
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
Island Montessori Charter
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy
Wilmington School of the Arts
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington
Wilmington Preparatory Academy
50 Public Schools in New Hanover County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 4 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 50 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John T Hoggard High | Profile | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28403City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 2,226 |
| Emsley A Laney High | Profile | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28405Suburb: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 2,220 |
| Eugene Ashley High | Profile | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28412Suburb: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,975 |
| New Hanover High | Profile | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28401City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,466 |
| Charles P Murray Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28412Suburb: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 882 |
| Roland-Grise Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28403City: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 860 |
| Holly Shelter Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Castle Hayne, 28429Rural: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 858 |
| American Leadership Academy-Coastal | Record | American Leadership Academy-Coastal | Wilmington, 28411Suburb: Midsize | KG–9 | Charter | 777 |
| Williston Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28401City: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 683 |
| Emma B Trask Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28405Suburb: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 673 |
| M C S Noble Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28405City: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 652 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28409Suburb: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 645 |
| Ogden Elementary | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28411Suburb: Midsize | KG–5 | Primary | 641 |
| Edwin A Anderson Elementary | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28412Suburb: Midsize | KG–5 | Primary | 624 |
| Porters Neck Elementary | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28411Suburb: Midsize | KG–5 | Primary | 605 |
| Masonboro Elementary | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28409City: Midsize | KG–5 | Primary | 575 |
| Murrayville Elementary | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28411Rural: Fringe | PK–5 | Primary | 569 |
| Heyward C Bellamy Elem | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28412Suburb: Midsize | KG–5 | Primary | 556 |
| The International School at Gregory | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28401City: Midsize | KG–8 | Primary | 522 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary | Record | New Hanover County Schools | Wilmington, 28401Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 522 |
John T Hoggard High
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28403 / City: Midsize
Emsley A Laney High
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28405 / Suburb: Midsize
Eugene Ashley High
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28412 / Suburb: Midsize
New Hanover High
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28401 / City: Midsize
Charles P Murray Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28412 / Suburb: Midsize
Roland-Grise Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28403 / City: Midsize
Holly Shelter Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Castle Hayne, 28429 / Rural: Fringe
American Leadership Academy-Coastal
American Leadership Academy-Coastal
Wilmington, 28411 / Suburb: Midsize
Williston Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28401 / City: Midsize
Emma B Trask Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28405 / Suburb: Midsize
M C S Noble Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28405 / City: Midsize
Myrtle Grove Middle
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28409 / Suburb: Midsize
Ogden Elementary
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28411 / Suburb: Midsize
Edwin A Anderson Elementary
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28412 / Suburb: Midsize
Porters Neck Elementary
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28411 / Suburb: Midsize
Masonboro Elementary
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28409 / City: Midsize
Murrayville Elementary
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28411 / Rural: Fringe
Heyward C Bellamy Elem
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28412 / Suburb: Midsize
The International School at Gregory
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28401 / City: Midsize
Wrightsboro Elementary
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, 28401 / Suburb: Midsize
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,880
State avg $6,969
Compare Nearby Counties
Review New Hanover County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which North Carolina counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in North Carolina?
How should I read the school score in New Hanover County?
What is the graduation rate in New Hanover County?
How much does New Hanover County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in New Hanover County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in New Hanover County, North Carolina?
New Hanover County maintains a robust educational infrastructure with 50 public schools serving 27,668 students across 9 districts. The system includes 32 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 10 high schools to support its growing population. This extensive network provides a solid foundation for families living in the Wilmington area.
What are the major school districts in New Hanover County, North Carolina?
New Hanover County Schools is the primary provider, educating 25,244 students across 42 schools. Families also have access to 7 charter schools, representing 14% of the total school landscape. Specialized options like the Cape Fear Center for Inquiry offer smaller environments with 409 enrolled students.
What is the school experience like in New Hanover County?
Most students attend school in city or suburban settings, with only four schools located in rural areas. While the average school size is 553 students, high schools like John T Hoggard serve over 2,200 students, creating a large-campus atmosphere. Conversely, the Wilmington Preparatory Academy offers a more intimate setting with just 97 students.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.