Average
#225 of 404 private schools in NC
Cape Fear Academy
School
3900 S COLLEGE RD, Wilmington, NC 28412
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 43 schools in Wilmington. Learn more
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Wilmington
#5 of 15
public schools
North Carolina schools
#139 of 238
About Cape Fear Academy
Cape Fear Academy serves 669 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Wilmington, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an impressive 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With 63 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains small class sizes that allow for personalized attention and meaningful student-teacher relationships. The school has earned recognition as one of North Carolina's top-performing institutions, ranking 21st out of 404 schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile.
This outstanding achievement reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence and has earned it a strong 8.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. Cape Fear Academy's location on South College Road places it within a stable, educated community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood features a median household income of $62,850 and median home values of $308,400, creating an environment that values education and community investment.
With a relatively low poverty rate of 11.5%, the area provides a supportive backdrop for student learning and family engagement. The school serves families in this mid-size suburban setting of New Hanover County, where the blend of academic excellence and community support creates an environment conducive to student success and growth.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, Cape Fear Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $26,212
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $29,029
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.11x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 90%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $47.7M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 669 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Cape Fear Academy compares to 44 public schools serving similar grades in Wilmington, NC
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cape Fear Academy (this school) | 6.1 |
| Pine Valley Elementary | 8.2 |
| Dr John Codington Elem | 6.8 |
| Holly Tree Elementary | 6.4 |
| Masonboro Elementary | 7.0 |
| John T Hoggard High | 5.6 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle | 7.9 |
| Roland-Grise Middle | 7.4 |
| Mary C Williams Elementary | 8.1 |
| Edwin A Alderman Elementary | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry | 7.2 |
| Winter Park Model Elementary | 7.8 |
| J. C. Roe Center | — |
| Wilmington School of the Arts | 7.1 |
| Bradley Creek Elementary | 7.6 |
| Heyward C Bellamy Elem | 8.1 |
| Isaac M Bear Early College High School | 4.9 |
| Lake Forest Academy | 5.3 |
| Sunset Park Elementary | 6.8 |
| Island Montessori Charter School | 5.4 |
| Forest Hills Global Elementary | 7.2 |
Showing 20 of 44 schools. View all schools in Wilmington
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
3900 S COLLEGE RD, Wilmington, NC 28412
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cape Fear Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Pine Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary C Williams Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Heyward C Bellamy Elem (rated 8.1/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilmington | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Pine Valley Elementary Wilmington | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Holly Tree Elementary Wilmington | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| PINE VALLEY UMC WEE CARE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Wilmington | 1.9 mi | — |
| John T Hoggard High Wilmington | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Masonboro Elementary Wilmington | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle Wilmington | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Roland-Grise Middle Wilmington | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| INNOVATIVE ACADEMY Wilmington | 2.5 mi | — |
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Wilmington | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Mary C Williams Elementary Wilmington | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Winter Park Model Elementary Wilmington | 2.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Heyward C Bellamy Elem Wilmington | 3.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Isaac M Bear Early College High School Wilmington | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| J. C. Roe Center Wilmington | 3.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28412 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,396
Median Home Value
$342,600
Median Rent
$1,326/mo
Population
42,452
College Educated
41.3%
Homeownership
57.7%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cape Fear Academy has a median household income of $67,396. 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 $342,600, with a median rent of $1,326/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carolina International School Concord, NC | 6.1 |
| Hobgood Charter School Hobgood, NC | 6.0 |
| Rocky Mount Preparatory Rocky Mount, NC | 6.0 |
| VILLAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville, NC | 6.2 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure, NC | 5.9 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Richlands, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cape Fear Academy
What grades does Cape Fear Academy serve?
Cape Fear Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Cape Fear Academy?
Cape Fear Academy has an enrollment of approximately 669 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Academy is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Cape Fear Academy rank in NC?
Cape Fear Academy is ranked #225 out of 404 private schools in NC.
What is Cape Fear Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cape Fear Academy has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Cape Fear Academy a private school?
Yes, Cape Fear Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Cape Fear Academy a religious school?
No, Cape Fear Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,004/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 669
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.3 hours
- Days Per Year
- 177 days
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- NEW HANOVER
- Phone
- (910) 791-0287
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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