Below Average
#2362 of 2,648 schools in NC
Emsley a Laney High
High School · New Hanover County Schools
2700 N College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405
Enrollment
2,248
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,248
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilmington
#41 of 43
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#436 of 579
In district
#40 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
About Emsley a Laney High
Emsley A Laney High School serves 2,248 students in grades 9-12 in Wilmington's large suburban community. With 112 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1, providing a substantial high school experience in New Hanover County. Academically, Laney High earns a 6.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #985 out of 2,661 North Carolina high schools, placing it in the 63rd percentile statewide.
The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 60% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 49% of students reaching proficiency. The academic score of 7.1 out of 10 reflects the school's solid educational foundation with room for continued improvement. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $64,853 and median home values reach $295,100.
With 39% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.2%, the surrounding ZIP code of 28405 represents a mixed socioeconomic area of over 34,000 residents. Laney High School sits at the heart of Wilmington's growing suburban landscape, serving families throughout this dynamic North Carolina coastal community.
What's said publicly about Emsley a Laney High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
Emsley a Laney High is a large school with 2,248 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Emsley a Laney High is 20.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Emsley a Laney High — Students at Emsley a Laney High score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How Emsley a Laney High Compares
See how Emsley a Laney High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 32.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 60.1% (2025).
Location
2700 N College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Emsley a Laney High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEA-Tech (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (rated 7.3/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilmington Early College High (rated 5.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington | 3.6 mi | 7.3 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 3.8 mi | 9.0 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 3.7 mi | 5.9 |
| PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Wilmington | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| College Park Elementary Wilmington | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Wilmington Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wilmington | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 4.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 4.3 mi | 7.1 |
| HILL SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,809
Median Home Value
$337,000
Median Rent
$1,405/mo
Population
35,159
College Educated
40.8%
Homeownership
57.4%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Emsley a Laney High has a median household income of $67,809. 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 $337,000, with a median rent of $1,405/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Mallard Creek High School Charlotte, NC | 4.4 |
| North Brunswick High Leland, NC | 4.4 |
| Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi Durham, NC | 4.4 |
| West Johnston High Benson, NC | 4.4 |
| Davie County High Mocksville, NC | 4.5 |
| Independence High School Charlotte, NC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Emsley a Laney High
What grades does Emsley a Laney High serve?
Emsley a Laney High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Emsley a Laney High?
Emsley a Laney High has an enrollment of approximately 2,248 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Emsley a Laney High?
The student-teacher ratio at Emsley a Laney High is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Emsley a Laney High rank in NC?
Emsley a Laney High is ranked #2362 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Emsley a Laney High's MySchoolScout rating?
Emsley a Laney High has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Emsley a Laney High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emsley a Laney High has 50.0% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Emsley a Laney High a charter school?
No, Emsley a Laney High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Emsley a Laney High a Title I school?
No, Emsley a Laney High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emsley a Laney High?
99.7% of students at Emsley a Laney High 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. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,248
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 112
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 350-2089
- 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
- #40 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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