Very Good
#562 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
Holly Shelter Middle
Middle School · New Hanover County Schools
3921 Roger Haynes Dr, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Enrollment
822
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
822
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castle Hayne
#3 of 4
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#39 of 475
In district
#12 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Holly Shelter Middle
Holly Shelter Middle serves grades six through eight in Castle Hayne, a rural area in New Hanover County near a town. The school enrolls 822 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7 to 1, supported by 56 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Holly Shelter Middle is working toward growth in core subjects.
About half of students are performing at proficient levels or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics, indicating opportunity for continued academic development. The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 64th percentile among North Carolina schools. As a regular public middle school, Holly Shelter provides foundational education during a critical developmental period for young adolescents.
The rural setting near town creates a distinct community environment for student learning and engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Holly Shelter Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Holly Shelter Middle — Students at Holly Shelter Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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: 7.7/10.
How Holly Shelter Middle Compares
See how Holly Shelter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 54.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 54.6% (2025).
Location
3921 Roger Haynes Dr, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holly Shelter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cape Fear Middle (rated 7.8/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), with a very similar rating. Another option is Emma B Trask Middle (rated 7.5/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, M C S Noble Middle (rated 5.9/10, 7.4 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 7.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 0.1 mi | 9.0 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 3.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 4.1 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 | 5.5 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 | 7.4 mi | 4.7 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 7.4 mi | 4.5 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 7.2 mi | 5.3 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 7.4 mi | 5.9 |
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 Holly Shelter Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| New Century Middle Cameron, NC | 7.8 |
| Northwest Cabarrus Middle Concord, NC | 7.8 |
| West Millbrook Middle Raleigh, NC | 7.8 |
| Mooresville Middle Mooresville, NC | 7.9 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle Wilmington, NC | 7.9 |
| Southern Middle Aberdeen, NC | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #562 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Holly Shelter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Holly Shelter Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Holly Shelter Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holly Shelter Middle has 50.1% math proficiency and 50.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 822
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 602-4046
- 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
- #12 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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