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Average

#1958 of 2,648 schools in NC

Topsail High

High School · Pender County Schools

245 St. Johns Church Road, Hampstead, NC 28443

Enrollment

1,888

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hampstead

#6 of 7

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#287 of 579

In district

#13 of 19

Pender County Schools

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Topsail High

Topsail High serves 1,888 students in grades 9-12 in Hampstead, North Carolina, earning strong recognition as the 551st ranked high school out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 79th percentile. With 88 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering impressive academic results. The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 70% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These solid achievement levels have earned Topsail High a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and an outstanding 9.2 academic score, reflecting the school's commitment to student success across all grade levels. Students at Topsail High benefit from studying in a community where educational achievement is valued, as evidenced by the area's 38% college graduation rate and median household income of $86,162. The surrounding neighborhood demonstrates stability with a median home value of $323,700 and a low 7.4% poverty rate among the 25,655 residents of the 28443 ZIP code.

Topsail High is situated in a rural setting near town, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel and access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities in Pender County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Topsail High is 21.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Topsail High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.4%
Math vs. State Avg+0.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

Topsail High — Students at Topsail High score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 70.1%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 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
58%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
56.7%
ELA
77.4%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Topsail High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
88 teachers

Location

245 St. Johns Church Road, Hampstead, NC 28443

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Topsail High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEA-Tech (rated 8.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilmington Early College High (rated 5.9/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Emsley A Laney High (rated 4.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hampstead, see our Hampstead schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Topsail Annandale Elementary School Hampstead 0.2 mi 7.3
Topsail Middle Hampstead 0.3 mi 5.8
South Topsail Elementary Hampstead 2.0 mi 7.5
North Topsail Elementary Hampstead 2.6 mi 7.4
American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington 7.5 mi 6.9
Surf City Elementary Hampstead 7.6 mi 5.1
Surf City Middle Hampstead 7.6 mi 6.4
Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington 9.2 mi 7.1
Ogden Elementary Wilmington 11.6 mi 7.1
Murrayville Elementary Wilmington 11.8 mi 7.7
SEA-Tech Castle Hayne 11.5 mi 8.2
Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point 11.4 mi 9.0
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington 12.5 mi 8.3
M C S Noble Middle Wilmington 13.2 mi 5.9
Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne 12.3 mi 5.9
John J Blair Elementary Wilmington 13.2 mi 5.3
Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne 12.3 mi 7.8
Emsley A Laney High Wilmington 12.8 mi 4.4
Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington 12.8 mi 7.5
Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne 12.4 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 Topsail High 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
Athens Drive High Raleigh, NC 5.4
Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro, NC 5.4
East Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Harding University High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Leesville Road High Raleigh, NC 5.4
Middle Creek High Apex, NC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Topsail High

What grades does Topsail High serve?

Topsail High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Topsail High?

Topsail High has an enrollment of approximately 1,888 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Topsail High?

The student-teacher ratio at Topsail High is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Topsail High rank in NC?

Topsail High is ranked #1958 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Topsail High's MySchoolScout rating?

Topsail High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Topsail High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Topsail High has 60.6% math proficiency and 70.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Topsail High a charter school?

No, Topsail High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Topsail High a Title I school?

No, Topsail High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Topsail High?

22.8% of students at Topsail High 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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,888
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
88
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.8%
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
#13 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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