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Below Average

#2310 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

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,310 of 2,648

In Wilmington

#38 of 43

public schools

In district

#36 of 41

New Hanover County Schools

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New Hanover High

4.2/10

High School in Wilmington · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The International School at Gregory

8.3/10

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

Williston Middle

3.6/10

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

About New Hanover High

New Hanover High is a public high school in Wilmington, NC, part of New Hanover County Schools. New Hanover High serves approximately 1,515 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. New Hanover High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,310 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for New Hanover High show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

43% of students at New Hanover High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-41.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness5.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate79%
AP Participation22.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,808
Chronic Absenteeism42.6%

New Hanover High — Students at New Hanover High score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
72%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
60%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
14.2%
ELA
43.5%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How New Hanover High Compares

See how New Hanover High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
13th percentile in NC
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
97 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
22.2% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH (rated 3.6/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
The International School at Gregory Wilmington 0.4 mi 8.3
Williston Middle Wilmington 0.5 mi 3.6
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington 0.7 mi 7.0
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington 0.7 mi 6.5
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington 0.8 mi 7.1
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington 1.0 mi 5.2
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 1.0 mi 6.4
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 1.2 mi 3.4
R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington 1.2 mi 2.5
Lake Forest Academy Wilmington 1.5 mi 5.4
PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH Wilmington 1.7 mi 3.6
SOUTHEASTERN AUTISM ACADEMY Wilmington 1.8 mi 6.4
Sunset Park Elementary Wilmington 2.1 mi 5.4
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington 1.9 mi 5.4
Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington 1.9 mi 6.9
HILL SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington 1.9 mi 5.4
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington 2.2 mi 7.0
Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington 2.3 mi 8.6
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 2.6 mi 4.7
Wilmington Preparatory Academy Wilmington 2.3 mi 5.9

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
Parkland High Winston-Salem, NC 4.2
South Rowan High China Grove, NC 4.2
Garinger High School Charlotte, NC 4.3
Knightdale High Knightdale, NC 4.1
Monroe High Monroe, NC 4.1
Northeast Guilford High Mcleansville, NC 4.1

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 ranks #2,310 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is New Hanover High's MySchoolScout rating?

New Hanover High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 New Hanover High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, New Hanover High has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.6%
4-Year Graduation
79.0%

District

New Hanover County Schools
District Enrollment
25,028
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,808
District Rank
#36 of 41

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