Best Schools in Wilmington, North Carolina
63 schools · 37 Elementary · 8 Middle · 11 High · 7 Other
Choosing a school in Wilmington?
Use this page to compare every school in Wilmington 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.
Wilmington School of the Arts
Elementary · Wilmington School of the Arts. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
High · Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The International School at Gregory
Elementary · New Hanover County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Wilmington for 2026 are Wilmington School of the Arts (8.7/10), Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (8.5/10), and The International School at Gregory (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 43 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
63
44 public · 19 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$337,783
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Schools
63
44 public · 19 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$337,783
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.8 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Wilmington schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +22.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Wilmington schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Wilmington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 43 rated schools; 63 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington School of the Arts | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | The International School at Gregory | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Myrtle Grove Middle | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Charles P Murray Middle | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Cape Fear Center for Inquiry | 7.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Edwin a Anderson Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Porters Neck Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Emma B Trask Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Pine Valley Elementary | 7.2 / 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
- $73,466
- Median home value
- $337,783
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
28% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Wilmington compares
North Carolina rank
#150 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
108% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
58
Education Snapshot
Wilmington, North CarolinaWilmington runs 61 schools across 9 school districts, enrolling approximately 28,053 students through 35 elementary, 9 middle, and 11 high schools, with 7 charter schools extending choice beyond standard district assignments. Rated schools average 6.4/10 on the MySchoolScout composite across 58 scored campuses, ahead of the North Carolina state average of 6.2/10. Adults in Wilmington hold a bachelor's degree or higher at a 44% rate. The median household income stands at $71,151 — just 2% below the North Carolina state median of $72,819 — placing the city in close economic alignment with the state overall. Nine districts serving one metro create more boundary decisions for families than in a typical single-district city of comparable enrollment; reviewing school ratings and grade-level availability across those district lines before selecting a neighborhood is worth the effort.
New Hanover County Schools runs 82% of Wilmington's public schools
Wilmington touches 9 districts, but New Hanover County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
New Hanover County Schools accounts for 36 of 44 public schools (82%). The other 8 districts hold the remaining 8.
Among 43 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.8 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Wilmington, not a citywide average.
7 of the 44 public schools are charters (16%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- New Hanover County Schools36 public · 82%
- American Leadership Academy-Coastal1 public · 2%
- Cape Fear Center For Inquiry1 public · 2%
- Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington1 public · 2%
- D.c. Virgo Preparatory Academy1 public · 2%
About Schools in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington's public school system spans 43 ranked schools with an average rating of 6.5 out of 10 — a solid baseline that masks meaningful variation across the city. Nearly half of all ranked schools, 21 in total, score 7 or above, which means parents here have real choices across a competitive mid-to-upper tier, not just a handful of standouts pulling the average up.
The strongest performers cluster at the elementary level. The International School at Gregory leads the city with a 9.0 rating, the highest score among all 43 ranked public schools. Edwin A. Anderson Elementary follows closely at 8.9, and Dr. Hubert Eaton Sr. Elementary, Pine Valley Elementary, and Mary C. Williams Elementary round out the top five with scores ranging from 8.1 to 8.3. That concentration of high-rated elementaries gives families with younger children a particularly strong set of options to evaluate. Parents comparing these schools should look past the scores alone and weigh proximity, program fit, and feeder patterns into middle school.
The 49 percent of schools scoring 7 or above also signals that Wilmington isn't a city where quality is confined to one or two neighborhoods. A near-majority of ranked schools clear that threshold, which matters practically for parents who can't access the very top schools by address or lottery. At the same time, the 6.5 city average means roughly half the schools fall below that mark — worth noting for families whose zoned school lands in that lower range.
For parents actively comparing options, the data points to a few practical moves. Start with The International School at Gregory and Anderson Elementary if elementary placement is the priority — both sit well above the city average and near the top of North Carolina peers. If your address zones you to a school below the 7.0 threshold, check whether magnet or choice program seats are available at higher-rated schools. Wilmington's spread of 43 ranked schools gives families enough options to make informed comparisons, and MySchoolScout's filters let you sort by rating, grade level, and location to narrow the field quickly.
Elementary Schools
37 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 229 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 508 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 404 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.3 |
| 4 | 610 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 655 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 |
| 6 | 455 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 7 | 562 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 |
| 8 | 448 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 |
| 9 | 92 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.9 |
| 10 | 214 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.9 |
Show all 37 elementary schools in Wilmington
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 597 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 899 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 651 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 848 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 5 | 647 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 | ||
| 6 | 661 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Hill School of WilmingtonPrivate 65 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 88 students · 4th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 344 students · 6th–12th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 2,248 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 1,515 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 4 | 2,178 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 5 | 251 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 6 | 1,899 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 7 | 86 students · 6th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 8 | 12 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 294 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Waterview Learning AcademyPrivate 47 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 high schools in Wilmington
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 862 students · Kindergarten–10th | 6.7 | ||
Private Schools6 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Calvary Christian SchoolPrivate 81 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Cape Fear AcademyPrivate 709 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 141 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Wilmington Christian AcademyPrivate 825 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Southeastern Autism AcademyPrivate 43 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | The James B Dudley AcademyPrivate 24 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina · 63 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$73,466
Median Home Value
$337,783
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
Population
212,039
College Educated
45%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Community Profile
Wilmington has a median household income of $73,466. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,783, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 37
- Middle
- 8
- High
- 11
- Other
- 7
Resources
School Districts (9)
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry
1 school · 404 students
Wilmington Preparatory Academy
1 school · 92 students
Island Montessori Charter
1 school · 214 students
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington
1 school · 133 students
Wilmington School of the Arts
1 school · 229 students
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
1 school · 344 students
American Leadership Academy-Coastal
1 school · 862 students
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy
1 school · 197 students
New Hanover County Schools
42 schools · 25,028 students
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 Wilmington, North Carolina
How many schools are in Wilmington, North Carolina?
Wilmington has 63 schools, including 44 public and 19 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Wilmington 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 Wilmington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Wilmington on MySchoolScout is Wilmington School of the Arts with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Wilmington on MySchoolScout is Wilmington School of the Arts with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Wilmington on MySchoolScout is Myrtle Grove Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Wilmington on MySchoolScout is Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Wilmington, North Carolina?
Wilmington is served by 9 school districts: Cape Fear Center for Inquiry, Wilmington Preparatory Academy, Island Montessori Charter, Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington, Wilmington School of the Arts, Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington, American Leadership Academy-Coastal, D.c. Virgo Preparatory Academy, New Hanover County Schools.
What is the education level in Wilmington, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 45% of adults in Wilmington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The median household income in Wilmington is approximately $73,466 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Wilmington, North Carolina?
Yes, Wilmington has 19 private schools alongside 44 public schools. The top-rated private school is Peace Rose Montessori with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Wilmington is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Wilmington, 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
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.