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Excellent

#354 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 13% in state

Sea-tech

High School · New Hanover County Schools

5301 Sidbury Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429

Enrollment

265

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

8.2

Grades

9th – UG

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Castle Hayne

#2 of 4

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#12 of 579

In district

#7 of 41

New Hanover County Schools

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Sea-tech

Sea-tech is a public high school in Castle Hayne, NC, part of the New Hanover County Schools. The school serves approximately 265 students in grades 9th – UG with a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.7th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 68% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 77% in reading/language arts, 24 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,259, where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sea-tech may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.3%
Math vs. State Avg+29.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.7 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+39.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,724

Sea-tech — Students at Sea-tech score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 77.4%
School
State
53.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
74.5%
2025
Math
85.7%
ELA
83.3%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Sea-tech Compares

See how Sea-tech performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
87th percentile in NC
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

5301 Sidbury Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sea-tech may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (rated 7.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a comparable rating. Another option is Wilmington Early College High (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC (rated 4.7/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Castle Hayne, see our Castle Hayne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne 0.9 mi 5.9
Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne 1.9 mi 7.8
Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington 2.2 mi 7.5
Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne 2.0 mi 9.0
Emsley A Laney High Wilmington 2.3 mi 4.4
Murrayville Elementary Wilmington 2.5 mi 7.7
WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington 4.4 mi 4.6
Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington 4.1 mi 7.2
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington 4.9 mi 8.3
John J Blair Elementary Wilmington 5.5 mi 5.3
M C S Noble Middle Wilmington 5.7 mi 5.9
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington 5.8 mi 7.3
Ogden Elementary Wilmington 5.6 mi 7.1
Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point 5.8 mi 7.8
Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point 5.8 mi 4.1
Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point 5.9 mi 5.0
PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Wilmington 6.4 mi 4.7
Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington 6.4 mi 4.7
College Park Elementary Wilmington 6.6 mi 4.8
Wilmington Preparatory Academy Wilmington 6.6 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28429 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,259

Median Home Value

$231,900

Median Rent

$870/mo

Population

9,083

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

17.7%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sea-tech has a median household income of $73,259. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,900, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Raleigh, NC 8.1
GTCC Middle College High Jamestown, NC 8.0
Edgecombe Early College High Tarboro, NC 7.9
Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro Jamestown, NC 7.9
POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC H S Greenville, NC 7.9
Williams Secondary Montessori Charlotte, NC 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sea-tech

What grades does Sea-tech serve?

Sea-tech serves students in grades 9th through UG.

How many students attend Sea-tech?

Sea-tech has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sea-tech?

The student-teacher ratio at Sea-tech is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sea-tech rank in NC?

Sea-tech is ranked #354 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sea-tech's MySchoolScout rating?

Sea-tech has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Sea-tech?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sea-tech has 67.6% math proficiency and 77.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sea-tech a charter school?

No, Sea-tech is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sea-tech a Title I school?

No, Sea-tech is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sea-tech?

98.9% of students at Sea-tech 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (602/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Type
vocational
Setting
Fringe Rural
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
#7 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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