Average
#2017 of 2,648 schools in NC
New Hanover High
High School · New Hanover County Schools
1307 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Enrollment
1,515
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,515
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilmington
#34 of 43
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#312 of 579
In district
#33 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About New Hanover High
New Hanover High serves 1,515 students in grades 9-12 in Wilmington, North Carolina, operating as a sizable comprehensive high school with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 and 97 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,107 out of 2,661 high schools statewide, placing it in the 58th percentile among North Carolina schools. Academically, New Hanover High shows room for growth, with 44% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and 42% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These scores reflect the school's focus on supporting student development across all achievement levels. The school draws from a diverse community along Market Street, where the median household income is $46,743 and median home value reaches $219,700. About 31% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the area faces economic challenges with a 23.2% poverty rate among its 21,872 residents.
New Hanover High operates in Wilmington's mid-size city environment, serving families from various socioeconomic backgrounds in New Hanover County's educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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New Hanover High — Students at New Hanover High score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.5/10.
How New Hanover High Compares
See how New Hanover High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 14.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 43.5% (2025).
Location
1307 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering New Hanover High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC (rated 4.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH (rated 3.6/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood 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 New Hanover High 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 |
|---|---|
| Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina, NC | 5.3 |
| Grimsley High Greensboro, NC | 5.3 |
| Lake Norman High Mooresville, NC | 5.3 |
| Needham Broughton High Raleigh, NC | 5.3 |
| Northern Nash High Rocky Mount, NC | 5.3 |
| Parkwood High Monroe, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Hanover High
What grades does New Hanover High serve?
New Hanover High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend New Hanover High?
New Hanover High has an enrollment of approximately 1,515 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at New Hanover High?
The student-teacher ratio at New Hanover High is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does New Hanover High rank in NC?
New Hanover High is ranked #2017 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is New Hanover High's MySchoolScout rating?
New Hanover High 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 New Hanover High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Hanover High has 39.7% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is New Hanover High a charter school?
No, New Hanover High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is New Hanover High a Title I school?
No, New Hanover High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Hanover High?
99.8% of students at New Hanover High 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
- Walk Score
- 77 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 36 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 65 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,004/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,515
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 97
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 251-6100
- 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
- #33 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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