Very Good
#728 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 28% in state
South Topsail Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
997 Hoover Road, Hampstead, NC 28443
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hampstead
#1 of 7
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#608 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About South Topsail Elementary
South Topsail Elementary serves 610 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Hampstead, North Carolina. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, South Topsail Elementary demonstrates solid performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #746 out of 2,661 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 72nd percentile.
The school particularly excels in mathematics, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 65% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. The school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $86,162 and median home values are $323,700. With 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.4%, the area reflects a commitment to education and family stability.
Located on Hoover Road, South Topsail Elementary sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a quieter, more spacious learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and amenities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Topsail Elementary 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
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South Topsail Elementary — Students at South Topsail Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How South Topsail Elementary Compares
See how South Topsail Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 74.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 64.7% (2025).
Location
997 Hoover Road, Hampstead, NC 28443
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Topsail Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Point Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Castle Hayne Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem (rated 8.3/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hampstead, see our Hampstead schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Topsail High Hampstead | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Topsail Annandale Elementary School Hampstead | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Topsail Middle Hampstead | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| North Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 4.5 mi | 7.4 |
| American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington | 5.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 9.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Surf City Elementary Hampstead | 9.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Surf City Middle Hampstead | 9.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 9.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 10.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 9.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 11.4 mi | 5.3 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 11.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 10.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 10.4 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,392
Median Home Value
$356,500
Median Rent
$1,372/mo
Population
27,203
College Educated
39.6%
Homeownership
81.2%
Avg Commute
30.6 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Topsail Elementary has a median household income of $89,392. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,500, with a median rent of $1,372/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Beverly Woods Elementary Charlotte, NC | 7.5 |
| Combs Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.5 |
| Davenport A+ School Lenoir, NC | 7.5 |
| Don D Steed Elementary Raeford, NC | 7.5 |
| Franklinton Elementary Franklinton, NC | 7.5 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Topsail Elementary
What grades does South Topsail Elementary serve?
South Topsail Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Topsail Elementary?
South Topsail Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 610 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Topsail Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Topsail Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Topsail Elementary rank in NC?
South Topsail Elementary is ranked #728 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Topsail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Topsail Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 South Topsail Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Topsail Elementary has 68.8% math proficiency and 62.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Topsail Elementary a charter school?
No, South Topsail Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Topsail Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Topsail Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Topsail Elementary?
31.0% of students at South Topsail Elementary 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 610
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Phone
- (910) 270-2756
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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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