Average
#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
Enrollment
855
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Topsail Middle — Students at Topsail Middle score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Topsail Middle Compares
See how Topsail Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 71.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 66.8% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (910) 270-2612
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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