Best Schools in Castle Hayne, North Carolina
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Castle Hayne?
Use this page to compare every school in Castle Hayne by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Castle Hayne Elementary
Elementary · New Hanover County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wilmington Early College High
High · New Hanover County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Holly Shelter Middle
Middle · New Hanover County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Castle Hayne for 2026 are Castle Hayne Elementary (8.6/10), Wilmington Early College High (8.0/10), and Holly Shelter Middle (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$231,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$231,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Castle Hayne
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Castle Hayne Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Wilmington Early College High | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Holly Shelter Middle | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Sea-tech | 6.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $73,259
- Median home value
- $231,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 88%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Castle Hayne compares
North Carolina rank
#8 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$73k
108% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Castle Hayne, North Carolina
Castle Hayne, North Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in Castle Hayne perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Castle Hayne is Castle Hayne Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Castle Hayne is served by 1 school district: New Hanover County Schools. These districts collectively serve 25,028 students.
Castle Hayne's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,259. The poverty rate in the area is 17.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 496 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 822 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 254 students · 9th–UG | 8.0 |
| 2 | 265 students · 9th–UG | 6.6 |
Schools in Castle Hayne
Castle Hayne, North Carolina · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$73,259
Median Home Value
$231,900
Median Rent
$870/mo
Population
9,083
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
88%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Community Profile
Castle Hayne has a median household income of $73,259. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,900, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Castle Hayne, North Carolina
How many schools are in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
Castle Hayne has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Castle Hayne is 7.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Castle Hayne on MySchoolScout is Castle Hayne Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Castle Hayne on MySchoolScout is Castle Hayne Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Castle Hayne on MySchoolScout is Holly Shelter Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Castle Hayne on MySchoolScout is Wilmington Early College High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
Castle Hayne is served by 1 school district: New Hanover County Schools.
What is the education level in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Castle Hayne have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The median household income in Castle Hayne is approximately $73,259 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Castle Hayne is 17.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Castle Hayne, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.