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Average

#1108 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 42% in state

Topsail Middle

Middle School · Pender County Schools

17445 US Hwy 17, Hampstead, NC 28443

Enrollment

855

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,108 of 2,648

In Hampstead

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#9 of 19

Pender County Schools

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Topsail Middle

6.8/10

Middle School in Hampstead · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Topsail Annandale Elementary School

8.8/10

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

Topsail High

7.0/10

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

About Topsail Middle

Topsail Middle is a public middle school in Hampstead, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Topsail Middle serves approximately 855 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Topsail Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,108 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Topsail Middle show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Topsail Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,425
Chronic Absenteeism21.8%

Topsail Middle — Students at Topsail Middle score 69% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 66.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 NC)

Based on 38 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
69.5%
ELA
63.3%
2025
Math
73%
ELA
66.8%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Topsail Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in NC
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

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

17445 US Hwy 17, Hampstead, NC 28443

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Topsail Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Holly Shelter Middle (rated 7.5/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Surf City Middle (rated 7.2/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, M C S Noble Middle (rated 7.1/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hampstead, see our Hampstead schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Topsail Annandale Elementary School Hampstead 0.2 mi 8.8
Topsail High Hampstead 0.3 mi 7.0
South Topsail Elementary Hampstead 2.3 mi 7.2
North Topsail Elementary Hampstead 2.3 mi 8.3
Surf City Elementary Hampstead 7.4 mi 7.8
Surf City Middle Hampstead 7.4 mi 7.2
American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington 7.8 mi 5.7
Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington 9.4 mi 9.1
Ogden Elementary Wilmington 11.8 mi 9.0
Murrayville Elementary Wilmington 12.1 mi 8.1
SEA-Tech Castle Hayne 11.7 mi 6.6
Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point 11.6 mi 9.2
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington 12.8 mi 8.6
M C S Noble Middle Wilmington 13.5 mi 7.1
John J Blair Elementary Wilmington 13.4 mi 5.4
Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne 12.6 mi 8.0
Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne 12.6 mi 7.5
Emsley A Laney High Wilmington 13.1 mi 6.5
Heide Trask High Rocky Point 12.6 mi 5.6
Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington 13.1 mi 7.1

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
Apex Middle Apex, NC 6.8
Clemmons Middle School Winston-Salem, NC 6.8
Macon Middle School Franklin, NC 6.8
McClintock Middle Charlotte, NC 6.8
North Lincoln Middle Denver, NC 6.8
R-S Middle School Rutherfordton, NC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Topsail Middle

What grades does Topsail Middle serve?

Topsail Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Topsail Middle?

Topsail Middle has an enrollment of approximately 855 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Topsail Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Topsail Middle is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Topsail Middle rank in NC?

Topsail Middle ranks #1,108 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Topsail Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Topsail Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Topsail Middle has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Topsail Middle a charter school?

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

Is Topsail Middle a Title I school?

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

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

20.8% of students at Topsail Middle 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
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
855
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Pender County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

District

Pender County Schools
District Enrollment
11,075
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,425
District Rank
#9 of 19

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