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Average

#225 of 404 private schools in NC

Cape Fear Academy

School

3900 S COLLEGE RD, Wilmington, NC 28412

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Cape Fear Academy compares to 44 public schools serving similar grades in Wilmington, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
This School
vs
14.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
669
This School
vs
567
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.1
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 86.2% vs 0%
Asian 4.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.5% vs 0%
Black 1.3% vs 0%
Cape Fear Academy Wilmington Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,292.1
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 25%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 669
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)

White 86.2%
Two or More 5.1%
Asian 4.6%
Hispanic 2.5%
Black 1.3%
Native American 0.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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