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#1745 of 2,648 schools in NC

Topsail Middle

Middle School · Pender County Schools

17445 US Hwy 17, Hampstead, NC 28443

Enrollment

855

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

5.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hampstead

#5 of 7

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#283 of 475

In district

#10 of 19

Pender County Schools

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Topsail Middle

Topsail Middle serves students in grades five through eight in Hampstead, a rural area of Pender County near US Highway 17. The school educates approximately 855 students with a teaching staff of 43 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of about 20 to 1. Academically, Topsail Middle ranks in the middle range of North Carolina schools, placing at the 53rd percentile statewide.

In mathematics, 70 percent of students score at proficient levels or above, while English language arts sees 66 percent of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. These results reflect solid foundational skills across the student population, with particular strength in math performance. As a regular public middle school, Topsail serves the local community with a focus on supporting students through the crucial middle school years.

The rural setting near a growing town provides a quieter, family-oriented environment for students in this grade range. For families exploring middle school options in the Hampstead area, Topsail Middle offers a neighborhood school with accessible academics and reasonable class sizes for students making the transition to upper-level coursework.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Topsail Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.8%
Math vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

Topsail Middle — Students at Topsail Middle score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

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 69.5%
School
State
55.0%
ELA Proficiency 66.4%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 14 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
66%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
65%
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: 5.9/10.

How Topsail Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
34th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

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 7.8/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emma B Trask Middle (rated 7.5/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Surf City Middle (rated 6.4/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.3
Topsail High Hampstead 0.3 mi 5.4
South Topsail Elementary Hampstead 2.3 mi 7.5
North Topsail Elementary Hampstead 2.3 mi 7.4
Surf City Elementary Hampstead 7.4 mi 5.1
Surf City Middle Hampstead 7.4 mi 6.4
American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington 7.8 mi 6.9
Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington 9.4 mi 7.1
Ogden Elementary Wilmington 11.8 mi 7.1
Murrayville Elementary Wilmington 12.1 mi 7.7
SEA-Tech Castle Hayne 11.7 mi 8.2
Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point 11.6 mi 9.0
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington 12.8 mi 8.3
M C S Noble Middle Wilmington 13.5 mi 5.9
John J Blair Elementary Wilmington 13.4 mi 5.3
Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne 12.6 mi 5.9
Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne 12.6 mi 7.8
Emsley A Laney High Wilmington 13.1 mi 4.4
Heide Trask High Rocky Point 12.6 mi 3.9
Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington 13.1 mi 7.5

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 Middle 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
E B Frink Middle La Grange, NC 5.8
Hudson Middle Hudson, NC 5.8
Macon Middle School Franklin, NC 5.8
Neuse River Middle Raleigh, NC 5.8
Parkwood Middle Monroe, NC 5.8
Trexler Middle Richlands, NC 5.8

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 is ranked #1745 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Topsail Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Topsail Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Topsail Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Topsail Middle has 69.5% math proficiency and 66.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (745/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pender County Schools
District Enrollment
11,075
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,425
District Rank
#10 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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