Very Good
#990 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 37% in state
Topsail High
High School · Pender County Schools
245 St. Johns Church Road, Hampstead, NC 28443
Enrollment
1,888
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,888
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#990 of 2,648
In Hampstead
#6 of 7
public schools
In district
#8 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Topsail High
High School in Hampstead · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Topsail Annandale Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Topsail Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Topsail High
Topsail High is a public high school in Hampstead, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Topsail High serves approximately 1,888 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Topsail High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #990 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Topsail High show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Topsail High runs 21.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Topsail High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Topsail High — Students at Topsail High score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Topsail High Compares
See how Topsail High 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
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. Wilmington Early College High (rated 8.0/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SEA-Tech (rated 6.6/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Emsley A Laney High (rated 6.5/10, 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 | 8.8 |
| Topsail Middle Hampstead | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| South Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| North Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington | 7.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Surf City Elementary Hampstead | 7.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Surf City Middle Hampstead | 7.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington | 9.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 11.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 11.8 mi | 8.1 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 11.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 11.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 12.5 mi | 8.6 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 13.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 12.3 mi | 8.0 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 13.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 12.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 12.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 12.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 12.4 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 |
|---|---|
| Piedmont High Monroe, NC | 7.0 |
| Alexander Central High Taylorsville, NC | 7.1 |
| Athens Drive High Raleigh, NC | 7.1 |
| Cary High Cary, NC | 6.9 |
| Leesville Road High Raleigh, NC | 7.1 |
| Mooresville High School Mooresville, NC | 7.1 |
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 ranks #990 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Topsail High's MySchoolScout rating?
Topsail High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Topsail High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Topsail High has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.9%
- Phone
- (910) 270-2755
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95.0%
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #8 of 19
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