Best Schools in Hampstead, North Carolina
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Hampstead?
Use this page to compare every school in Hampstead 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.
North Topsail Elementary
Elementary · Pender County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Topsail High
High · Pender County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Topsail Middle
Middle · Pender County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hampstead for 2026 are North Topsail Elementary (7.4/10), Topsail High (7.0/10), and Topsail Middle (5.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$344,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$344,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +13.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Hampstead schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Hampstead
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Topsail Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Topsail High | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Topsail Middle | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Surf City Middle | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Topsail Annandale Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | South Topsail Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Surf City Elementary | 4.7 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $89,321
- Median home value
- $344,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hampstead compares
North Carolina rank
#140 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$89k
132% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
8
Pender County Schools runs Hampstead's public schools
7 public schools. Pender County Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Hampstead is a Pender County Schools school (7 of 7).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.7 to 7.4 — the spread is inside Hampstead, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Hampstead, North Carolina
Hampstead, North Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Hampstead show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Hampstead is Topsail Montessori Llc with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hampstead is served by 1 school district: Pender County Schools. These districts collectively serve 11,075 students.
Hampstead's community shows 41% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $89,321. The poverty rate in the area is 5.8%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 565 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 587 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.5 | ||
| 3 | 610 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 4 | 850 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Topsail Montessori LlcPrivate 38 students · Pre-K–4th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 855 students · 5th–8th | 5.9 |
| 2 | 750 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,888 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Hampstead
Hampstead, North Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$89,321
Median Home Value
$344,500
Median Rent
$1,345/mo
Population
36,987
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Community Profile
Hampstead has a median household income of $89,321. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $344,500, with a median rent of $1,345/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Hampstead, North Carolina
How many schools are in Hampstead, North Carolina?
Hampstead has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hampstead, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hampstead is 6.1 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 Hampstead, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Hampstead on MySchoolScout is North Topsail Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hampstead, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hampstead on MySchoolScout is North Topsail Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Hampstead, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Hampstead on MySchoolScout is Topsail Middle with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Hampstead, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Hampstead on MySchoolScout is Topsail High with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Hampstead, North Carolina?
Hampstead is served by 1 school district: Pender County Schools.
What is the education level in Hampstead, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Hampstead have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hampstead, North Carolina?
The median household income in Hampstead is approximately $89,321 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Hampstead, North Carolina?
Yes, Hampstead has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Topsail Montessori Llc with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hampstead, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hampstead is 16.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hampstead, 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.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
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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.