Excellent
#73 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Castle Hayne Elementary
Elementary School · New Hanover County Schools
3925 Roger Haynes Drive, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castle Hayne
#1 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#66 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Castle Hayne Elementary
Castle Hayne Elementary serves 496 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in Castle Hayne, North Carolina. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.8 to 1, classes stay small enough for teachers to deliver focused instruction at every grade level. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with academic performance at 8.8 and growth at 9.2.
That growth score reflects students making meaningful gains year over year, not just arriving with advantages. Ranked #73 out of 2,648 public schools in North Carolina, Castle Hayne Elementary outperforms 97% of schools statewide. Among elementary schools specifically, it ranks #66 of 1,474 — a position that holds up even when the comparison narrows to its direct peer group.
For families in Castle Hayne, the local picture is equally clear: this is the top-ranked school among 4 public schools in the area. Parents prioritizing both academic results and student growth will find very few elementary schools in North Carolina that score this high across both dimensions.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Castle Hayne Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Castle Hayne Elementary — Students at Castle Hayne Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.2/10.
How Castle Hayne Elementary Compares
See how Castle Hayne Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 71.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 56.9% (2025).
Location
3925 Roger Haynes Drive, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Castle Hayne Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Point Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), with a very similar rating. Another option is Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem (rated 8.3/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Murrayville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Castle Hayne, see our Castle Hayne schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 3.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 4.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 4.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 4.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 4.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 5.4 mi | 9.0 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 5.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 6.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington | 6.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 6.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington | 7.5 mi | 4.7 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 7.5 mi | 4.5 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 7.5 mi | 2.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28429 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,259
Median Home Value
$231,900
Median Rent
$870/mo
Population
9,083
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
88.3%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
44.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Castle Hayne Elementary has a median household income of $73,259. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,900, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Armstrong Elementary Eastover, NC | 9.0 |
| Ayden Elementary Ayden, NC | 9.0 |
| Bethel Hill Charter Roxboro, NC | 9.0 |
| Bogue Sound Elementary Newport, NC | 9.0 |
| Edward Best Elementary Louisburg, NC | 9.0 |
| Gray's Creek Elementary Hope Mills, NC | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Castle Hayne Elementary
What grades does Castle Hayne Elementary serve?
Castle Hayne Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Castle Hayne Elementary?
Castle Hayne Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Castle Hayne Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Castle Hayne Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Castle Hayne Elementary rank in NC?
Castle Hayne Elementary is ranked #73 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Castle Hayne Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Castle Hayne Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Castle Hayne Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Castle Hayne Elementary has 62.1% math proficiency and 53.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Castle Hayne Elementary a charter school?
No, Castle Hayne Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Castle Hayne Elementary a Title I school?
No, Castle Hayne Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Castle Hayne Elementary?
99.4% of students at Castle Hayne Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 496
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 602-4970
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Hanover County Schools- District Enrollment
- 25,028
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,808
- District Rank
- #2 of 41
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 methodologyRelated reading
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