Average
#1683 of 2,648 schools in NC
Wilmington Early College High
High School · New Hanover County Schools
4500 Blue Clay Rd WECHS Bldg.ND122, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castle Hayne
#4 of 4
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#207 of 579
In district
#29 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Wilmington Early College High
Wilmington Early College High serves 254 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Castle Hayne, offering a unique pathway that allows students to earn college credits while completing their high school education. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.1:1. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranking 240th out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among North Carolina high schools.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 86% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 83% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in Mathematics. Located on Blue Clay Road in New Hanover County, Wilmington Early College High operates in a suburban setting that serves families from the surrounding 28429 ZIP code area. The local community includes approximately 8,600 residents with a median household income of $63,227 and median home values around $195,000.
About one in five area residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.6%. This early college model provides students with an accelerated academic experience in a large suburban environment that bridges the gap between high school and higher education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Early College High is 23.1:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Wilmington Early College High — Students at Wilmington Early College High score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 3.0/10.
How Wilmington Early College High Compares
See how Wilmington Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 70% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 84.5% (2019) to 86% (2025).
Location
4500 Blue Clay Rd WECHS Bldg.ND122, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wilmington Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEA-Tech (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (rated 7.3/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC (rated 4.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Castle Hayne, see our Castle Hayne schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 2.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 4.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington | 5.1 mi | 7.3 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 5.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington | 5.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Wilmington Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
| PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Wilmington | 5.8 mi | 4.7 |
| College Park Elementary Wilmington | 6.0 mi | 4.8 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington | 5.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 5.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 6.1 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28429 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,259
Median Home Value
$231,900
Median Rent
$870/mo
Population
9,083
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
88.3%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
44.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wilmington Early College High has a median household income of $73,259. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,900, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Early College Taylorsville, NC | 5.9 |
| Central Piedmont Early College Charlotte, NC | 5.9 |
| Innovation Early College High Greenville, NC | 5.9 |
| Wake STEM Early College High School Cary, NC | 5.9 |
| Middle College at GTCC-High Point High Point, NC | 6.0 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson, NC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wilmington Early College High
What grades does Wilmington Early College High serve?
Wilmington Early College High serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Wilmington Early College High?
Wilmington Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Early College High?
The student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Early College High is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wilmington Early College High rank in NC?
Wilmington Early College High is ranked #1683 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Wilmington Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilmington Early College High has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Wilmington Early College High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilmington Early College High has 79.8% math proficiency and 87.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wilmington Early College High a charter school?
No, Wilmington Early College High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wilmington Early College High a Title I school?
No, Wilmington Early College High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilmington Early College High?
98.8% of students at Wilmington Early College 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (602/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 362-7789
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Hanover County Schools- District Enrollment
- 25,028
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,808
- District Rank
- #29 of 41
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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