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#1820 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

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,820 of 2,648

In Wilmington

#35 of 43

public schools

In district

#34 of 41

New Hanover County Schools

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Lake Forest Academy

5.4/10

Elementary School in Wilmington · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sunset Park Elementary

5.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Peace Rose Montessori

6.4/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Lake Forest Academy

Lake Forest Academy is a public elementary school in Wilmington, NC, part of New Hanover County Schools. Lake Forest Academy serves approximately 43 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 3.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Lake Forest Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,820 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Lake Forest Academy show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 12% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 43 students, Lake Forest Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Lake Forest Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 3.3:1 students to teachers, Lake Forest Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-48.9 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-32.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,808
Chronic Absenteeism81.4%

Lake Forest Academy — Students at Lake Forest Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

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 12.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 11.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 29 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
49.5%
ELA
10%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2011
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2012
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2013
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%
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: 8.5/10.

How Lake Forest Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in NC
Academic
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
3:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
81.4%

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. Wilmington School of the Arts (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The International School at Gregory (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington (rated 7.0/10, 2.0 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 5.4
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 1.0 mi 6.4
Williston Middle Wilmington 1.1 mi 3.6
The International School at Gregory Wilmington 1.2 mi 8.3
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 1.4 mi 3.4
New Hanover High Wilmington 1.5 mi 4.2
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington 1.6 mi 6.7
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 1.4 mi 4.7
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 8.6
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 7.0
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 2.5
HILL SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington 2.0 mi 5.4
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington 2.5 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CEDARWOOD ACADEMY Charlotte, NC 5.4
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
SEDGEFIELD SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 5.6
ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville, NC 5.2

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 ranks #1,820 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Lake Forest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Forest Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Lake Forest Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lake Forest Academy has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 12% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
81.4%

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

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