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Very Good

#870 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 33% in state

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

Elementary School · Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

2525 Wonder Way, Wilmington, NC 28401

Charter

Enrollment

404

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wilmington

#15 of 43

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#711 of 1,474

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry serves 404 students in kindergarten through eighth grade as a charter school in Wilmington, North Carolina. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide at #726 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.

Students show strong proficiency rates with 68% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 69% in mathematics across all grade levels tested. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic achievement and suggest effective teaching practices. As a charter school, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry operates with greater flexibility in curriculum and instruction while serving the public school mission.

The school draws families from the surrounding community, where the median household income is $46,743 and 31% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Wonder Way in New Hanover County, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry sits within Wilmington's mid-size city environment, offering students educational opportunities in a dynamic coastal North Carolina community.

What Parents Should Know

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.5%
Math vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.9 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,627

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry — Students at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.8%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 68.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
45%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
68.6%
ELA
68.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Compares

See how Cape Fear Center for Inquiry performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in NC
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Location

2525 Wonder Way, Wilmington, NC 28401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cape Fear Center for Inquiry may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The International School at Gregory (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pine Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Forest Hills Global Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
J. C. Roe Center Wilmington 0.9 mi
WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington 1.0 mi 5.1
Sunset Park Elementary Wilmington 1.2 mi 6.8
Lake Forest Academy Wilmington 1.6 mi 5.3
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 1.6 mi 5.0
PINE VALLEY UMC WEE CARE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Wilmington 1.6 mi
Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington 2.0 mi 6.8
Pine Valley Elementary Wilmington 2.0 mi 8.2
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 2.5 mi 6.4
Williston Middle Wilmington 2.6 mi 5.7
John T Hoggard High Wilmington 2.2 mi 5.6
Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington 2.4 mi 7.1
The International School at Gregory Wilmington 2.7 mi 9.0
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 2.8 mi 7.2
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington 2.8 mi 5.4
Roland-Grise Middle Wilmington 2.5 mi 7.4
CAPE FEAR ACADEMY Wilmington 2.7 mi 6.1
New Hanover High Wilmington 3.1 mi 5.3
NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilmington 2.6 mi 3.7
PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH Wilmington 2.9 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,159

Median Home Value

$263,000

Median Rent

$1,183/mo

Population

21,820

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

40.5%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cape Fear Center for Inquiry has a median household income of $52,159. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,000, with a median rent of $1,183/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC 7.2
Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC 7.2
Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC 7.2
East Clayton Elementary Clayton, NC 7.2
Eastern Wayne Elementary Goldsboro, NC 7.2
Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill, NC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

What grades does Cape Fear Center for Inquiry serve?

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cape Fear Center for Inquiry?

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry has an enrollment of approximately 404 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry?

The student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cape Fear Center for Inquiry rank in NC?

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is ranked #870 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cape Fear Center for Inquiry's MySchoolScout rating?

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry has a composite rating of 7.2 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.

What are the test scores at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry has 64.8% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cape Fear Center for Inquiry a charter school?

Yes, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Cape Fear Center for Inquiry a Title I school?

No, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,004/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
404
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
New Hanover County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry
District Enrollment
404
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,259
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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