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Average

#2018 of 2,648 schools in NC

Lake Forest Academy

Elementary School · New Hanover County Schools

1802 S 15th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

3.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wilmington

#35 of 43

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,280 of 1,474

In district

#34 of 41

New Hanover County Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Lake Forest Academy

Lake Forest Academy is an alternative elementary school located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, the school has a small enrollment of just 43 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio at 3.3:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. As an alternative school, Lake Forest Academy provides unique educational opportunities for its community.

Academically, Lake Forest Academy currently ranks in the bottom tenth percentile among schools in North Carolina, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.0 out of 10. Test performance shows that only 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 7% are proficient or above in Math across all grades. While these scores suggest room for improvement, the school likely focuses on providing personalized support to meet each student's needs.

Lake Forest Academy is situated in a mid-size city setting within New Hanover County, offering its students access to various urban resources and community activities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, Lake Forest Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Lake Forest Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1, Lake Forest Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-48.9 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-38.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,724

Lake Forest Academy — Students at Lake Forest Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 7.4%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
7.1%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Lake Forest Academy Compares

See how Lake Forest Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
24th percentile in NC
Academic
1.3/10
1.3/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
3:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

1802 S 15th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Forest Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The International School at Gregory (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest Hills Global Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunset Park Elementary Wilmington 0.9 mi 6.8
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 1.0 mi 6.4
Williston Middle Wilmington 1.1 mi 5.7
The International School at Gregory Wilmington 1.2 mi 9.0
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 1.4 mi 7.2
New Hanover High Wilmington 1.5 mi 5.3
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington 1.6 mi 7.2
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 1.4 mi 5.0
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington 1.7 mi 6.5
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington 1.6 mi 5.4
PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH Wilmington 1.7 mi 3.6
Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington 1.6 mi 7.1
SOUTHEASTERN AUTISM ACADEMY Wilmington 1.7 mi 6.4
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington 2.1 mi 7.1
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington 2.0 mi 6.3
PINE VALLEY UMC WEE CARE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Wilmington 2.0 mi
J. C. Roe Center Wilmington 2.2 mi
R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington 2.2 mi 4.5
HILL SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington 2.0 mi 5.4
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington 2.5 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,159

Median Home Value

$263,000

Median Rent

$1,183/mo

Population

21,820

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

40.5%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Forest Academy has a median household income of $52,159. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,000, with a median rent of $1,183/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, 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
CEDARWOOD ACADEMY Charlotte, NC 5.3
ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville, NC 5.2
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington, NC 5.4
MILLS RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Mills River, NC 5.5
WAYNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Goldsboro, NC 5.5
EPHESUS JR ACADEMY Winston-Salem, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Forest Academy

What grades does Lake Forest Academy serve?

Lake Forest Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Lake Forest Academy?

Lake Forest Academy has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Academy is 3.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Forest Academy rank in NC?

Lake Forest Academy is ranked #2018 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lake Forest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Forest Academy has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Lake Forest Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Forest Academy has 7.4% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lake Forest Academy a charter school?

No, Lake Forest Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lake Forest Academy a Title I school?

No, Lake Forest Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Forest Academy?

93.0% of students at Lake Forest Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
New Hanover County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New Hanover County Schools
District Enrollment
25,028
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,808
District Rank
#34 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 methodology

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