Very Good
#721 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Holly Shelter Middle
Middle School · New Hanover County Schools · Castle Hayne, NC
A New Hanover County Schools middle school where students score 8 points above what's typical for similar communities.
3921 Roger Haynes Dr, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
- Math 55% vs NC 54% (2025)
- Reading 55% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Holly Shelter Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2010–2025), then recovered 14 points since 2020, reaching 55% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 49% (multi-year average, 2010-2025) · reading/ELA 51% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Holly Shelter Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 9Car-Dependent
- Bike 32Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average602/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$73,259
Median home value
$231,900
Median rent
$870/mo
College educated
25.2%
Homeownership
88.3%
Poverty rate
17.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28429; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma B Trask MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 7.1 | 6–8 | 3.6 mi | 651 | Compare → |
| Cape Fear MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 5.9 | 6–8 | 4.1 mi | 449 | Compare → |
| Pender Innovative Learning AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 2.9 | K–12 | 4.1 mi | 48 | Compare → |
| Charles P Murray MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 8.2 | 6–8 | Not available | 899 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
New Hanover County Schools
- Schools in district
- 42
- Rank in district
- #20 of 41
- District spending per student
- $13,808NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 12.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Holly Shelter Middle is listed in New Hanover County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Holly Shelter Middle
Holly Shelter Middle is a public middle school in Castle Hayne, NC, part of New Hanover County Schools, serving approximately 822 students in grades 6th-8th with a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #721 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Holly Shelter Middle
What grades does Holly Shelter Middle serve?
Holly Shelter Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Holly Shelter Middle?
Holly Shelter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 822 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holly Shelter Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Holly Shelter Middle is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holly Shelter Middle rank in NC?
Holly Shelter Middle ranks #721 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Holly Shelter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Holly Shelter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Holly Shelter Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Holly Shelter Middle has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
Is Holly Shelter Middle a charter school?
No, Holly Shelter Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holly Shelter Middle a Title I school?
No, Holly Shelter Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holly Shelter Middle?
99.6% of students at Holly Shelter Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 822
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- New Hanover County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.4%
- Phone
- (910) 602-4046
- Area population (ZIP 28429)
- 9,083
- Area average commute
- 21.8 min
- Area median age
- 44.1
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28429; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2010-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.