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#1819 of 2,648 schools in NC

Sunset Park Elementary

Elementary School · New Hanover County Schools

613 Alabama Ave, Wilmington, NC 28401

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,819 of 2,648

In Wilmington

#34 of 43

public schools

In district

#33 of 41

New Hanover County Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Sunset Park Elementary

5.4/10

Elementary School in Wilmington · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lake Forest Academy

5.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

6.7/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sunset Park Elementary

Sunset Park Elementary is a public elementary school in Wilmington, NC, part of New Hanover County Schools. Sunset Park Elementary serves approximately 407 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunset Park Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,819 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Sunset Park Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.91 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,808
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

Sunset Park Elementary — Students at Sunset Park Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 43.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 32.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
29%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
30.3%
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: 4.7/10.

How Sunset Park Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in NC
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Wilmington School of the Arts (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The International School at Gregory (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Belville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Leland), which scores notably 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 5.4
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington 1.2 mi 6.7
J. C. Roe Center Wilmington 1.6 mi
Williston Middle Wilmington 1.6 mi 3.6
The International School at Gregory Wilmington 1.7 mi 8.3
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 1.9 mi 6.4
New Hanover High Wilmington 2.1 mi 4.2
WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington 2.2 mi 5.1
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 2.0 mi 4.7
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington 2.4 mi 7.0
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 2.2 mi 3.4
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 8.6
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 5.2
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 8.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain, NC 5.4
Brightwood Elementary Greensboro, NC 5.4
Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC 5.4
Cloverleaf Elementary Statesville, NC 5.4
Clyde Elementary Clyde, NC 5.4
Dillard Academy Goldsboro, NC 5.4

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 ranks #1,819 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Sunset Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Park Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Sunset Park Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunset Park Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

District

New Hanover County Schools
District Enrollment
25,028
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,808
District Rank
#33 of 41

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