Very Good
#863 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 33% in state
South Topsail Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
997 Hoover Road, Hampstead, NC 28443
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#863 of 2,648
In Hampstead
#4 of 7
public schools
In district
#6 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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South Topsail Elementary
Elementary School in Hampstead · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Topsail High
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Topsail Annandale Elementary School
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Topsail Elementary
South Topsail Elementary is a public elementary school in Hampstead, NC, part of Pender County Schools. South Topsail Elementary serves approximately 610 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. South Topsail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #863 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for South Topsail Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
South Topsail Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Topsail Elementary — Students at South Topsail Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 36 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: 7.1/10.
How South Topsail Elementary Compares
See how South Topsail Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.2/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Porters Neck Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ogden Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably 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 | 7.0 |
| Topsail Annandale Elementary School Hampstead | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Topsail Middle Hampstead | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| North Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 4.5 mi | 8.3 |
| American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington | 5.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington | 7.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 9.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Surf City Elementary Hampstead | 9.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Surf City Middle Hampstead | 9.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 9.8 mi | 8.1 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 9.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 10.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 9.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 10.3 mi | 8.0 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 11.4 mi | 5.4 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 11.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 10.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 10.4 mi | 8.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 7.2 |
| Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.2 |
| Carver Elementary Mount Olive, NC | 7.2 |
| Cleveland Elementary Clayton, NC | 7.2 |
| Coopers Elementary Elm City, NC | 7.2 |
| Eastern Elementary Washington, NC | 7.2 |
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 ranks #863 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Topsail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Topsail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 South Topsail Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Topsail Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.4%
- Phone
- (910) 270-2756
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #6 of 19
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