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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.7%
Math vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

South Topsail Elementary — Students at South Topsail Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.8%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 62.4%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 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
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
74.7%
ELA
65.1%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How South Topsail Elementary Compares

See how South Topsail Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in NC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (745/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pender County Schools
District Enrollment
11,075
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,425
District Rank
#3 of 19

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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