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Average

#1153 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 44% in state

Sunset Park Elementary

Elementary School · New Hanover County Schools

613 Alabama Ave, Wilmington, NC 28401

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wilmington

#23 of 43

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#889 of 1,474

In district

#24 of 41

New Hanover County Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Sunset Park Elementary

Sunset Park Elementary is a regular public school located in Wilmington, North Carolina, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 407 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Sunset Park Elementary is currently ranked #1835 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 31st percentile.

Test scores show that 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 39% in Math, indicating areas where the school can focus on further improvement. Sunset Park Elementary is situated in a mid-size city, offering its students access to diverse community resources and cultural opportunities. Despite the current challenges highlighted by test scores, the school continues to work diligently toward academic growth and student development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sunset Park Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.3%
Math vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,724

Sunset Park Elementary — Students at Sunset Park Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.0%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 26.2%
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
27%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
46.2%
ELA
27.1%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Sunset Park Elementary Compares

See how Sunset Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in NC
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

613 Alabama Ave, Wilmington, NC 28401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunset Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The International School at Gregory (rated 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belville Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Leland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Forest Academy Wilmington 0.9 mi 5.3
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington 1.2 mi 7.2
J. C. Roe Center Wilmington 1.6 mi
Williston Middle Wilmington 1.6 mi 5.7
The International School at Gregory Wilmington 1.7 mi 9.0
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 1.9 mi 6.4
New Hanover High Wilmington 2.1 mi 5.3
WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington 2.2 mi 5.1
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 2.0 mi 5.0
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington 2.4 mi 6.3
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 2.2 mi 7.2
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington 2.5 mi 6.5
PINE VALLEY UMC WEE CARE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Wilmington 2.3 mi
Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington 2.4 mi 7.1
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington 2.8 mi 7.1
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington 2.5 mi 5.4
D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington 3.0 mi 2.5
PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH Wilmington 2.6 mi 3.6
SOUTHEASTERN AUTISM ACADEMY Wilmington 2.6 mi 6.4
Belville Elementary Leland 2.6 mi 8.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sunset Park Elementary has a median household income of $52,159. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,000, with a median rent of $1,183/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Archer Elementary Greensboro, NC 6.8
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC 6.8
Broadway Elementary Broadway, NC 6.8
Chantilly Montessori Charlotte, NC 6.8
Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington, NC 6.8
Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunset Park Elementary

What grades does Sunset Park Elementary serve?

Sunset Park Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sunset Park Elementary?

Sunset Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Park Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Park Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunset Park Elementary rank in NC?

Sunset Park Elementary is ranked #1153 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sunset Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Park Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Sunset Park Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunset Park Elementary has 39.0% math proficiency and 26.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sunset Park Elementary a charter school?

No, Sunset Park Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sunset Park Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sunset Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunset Park Elementary?

99.3% of students at Sunset Park 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

City Safety
High (4,004/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
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
#24 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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