Below Average
#2190 of 2,648 schools in NC
Isaac M Bear Early College High School
High School · New Hanover County Schools
630 MacMillan Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403
Enrollment
251
Student-Teacher
27.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
251
Student-Teacher
27.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilmington
#37 of 43
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#373 of 579
In district
#36 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Isaac M Bear Early College High School
Isaac M Bear Early College High School serves 251 students in grades 9-12 as a regular public school in Wilmington, North Carolina. This high-performing institution has earned an impressive 8.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #239 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among North Carolina high schools. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, with 98% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, and 97% reaching proficiency in Mathematics.
These outstanding results contribute to the school's remarkable 9.9 out of 10 academic score. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27.9 to 1. Located at 630 MacMillan Avenue in New Hanover County, Isaac M Bear Early College High School sits in the 28403 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $50,757 and median home value reaches $297,100.
The surrounding community is well-educated, with 47% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also faces economic challenges with a poverty rate of 24.4%. The school operates within Wilmington's mid-size city environment, providing students with both urban opportunities and a manageable community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Isaac M Bear Early College High School is 27.9:1, 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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Isaac M Bear Early College High School — Students at Isaac M Bear Early College High School score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 5 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Isaac M Bear Early College High School Compares
See how Isaac M Bear Early College High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 95% (2019) to 94.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 98.5% (2025).
Location
630 MacMillan Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Isaac M Bear Early College High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John T Hoggard High (rated 5.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC (rated 4.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,988
Median Home Value
$337,600
Median Rent
$1,293/mo
Population
40,292
College Educated
47.6%
Homeownership
35.6%
Avg Commute
17.6 min
Poverty Rate
23.7%
Median Age
29.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Isaac M Bear Early College High School has a median household income of $50,988. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,600, with a median rent of $1,293/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, 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 |
|---|---|
| North Stokes High School Danbury, NC | 4.9 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia, NC | 4.9 |
| Yadkin Early College Yadkinville, NC | 4.8 |
| EMMA LEE BROADY ACADEMY Graham, NC | 5.1 |
| ABSS Early College at ACC Graham, NC | 4.7 |
| Charlotte Teacher Early College Charlotte, NC | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Isaac M Bear Early College High School
What grades does Isaac M Bear Early College High School serve?
Isaac M Bear Early College High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Isaac M Bear Early College High School?
Isaac M Bear Early College High School has an enrollment of approximately 251 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Isaac M Bear Early College High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Isaac M Bear Early College High School is 27.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Isaac M Bear Early College High School rank in NC?
Isaac M Bear Early College High School is ranked #2190 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Isaac M Bear Early College High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Isaac M Bear Early College High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Isaac M Bear Early College High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Isaac M Bear Early College High School has 93.7% math proficiency and 92.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Isaac M Bear Early College High School a charter school?
No, Isaac M Bear Early College High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Isaac M Bear Early College High School a Title I school?
No, Isaac M Bear Early College High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Isaac M Bear Early College High School?
21.5% of students at Isaac M Bear Early College High School 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
- City Safety
- High (4,004/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 251
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 350-1387
- 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
- #36 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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