Skip to main content

Average

#1273 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 48% in state

Wilmington Preparatory Academy

Elementary School · Wilmington Preparatory Academy

134 Cinema Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

Charter

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wilmington

#25 of 43

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#958 of 1,474

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Wilmington Preparatory Academy

Wilmington Preparatory Academy is a charter school located in Wilmington, North Carolina, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of just 92 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The dedicated staff consists of 10 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to provide quality education despite the challenges presented by low academic scores.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Wilmington Preparatory Academy ranks at 3.9 out of 10 and is ranked #2052 in North Carolina among 2661 schools, placing it around the 23rd percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, only 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% meet or exceed standards in Math. These scores suggest that there is room for improvement and growth within the academic programs.

Wilmington Preparatory Academy is situated in a mid-size city setting, offering students access to various cultural and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 92 students, Wilmington Preparatory Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Wilmington Preparatory Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Wilmington Preparatory Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.4%
Math vs. State Avg-24 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-36.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,571

Wilmington Preparatory Academy — Students at Wilmington Preparatory Academy score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
57.4%
ELA Proficiency 34.1%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 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
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
33.1%
ELA
40.5%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Wilmington Preparatory Academy Compares

See how Wilmington Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in NC
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Location

134 Cinema Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilmington Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Winter Park Model Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest Hills Global Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wilmington School of the Arts (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wilmington, see our Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington 0.6 mi 4.7
HILL SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington 0.6 mi 5.4
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington 0.9 mi 7.3
SOUTHEASTERN AUTISM ACADEMY Wilmington 0.9 mi 6.4
PATHWAYS MIDDLE AND HIGH Wilmington 1.0 mi 3.6
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilmington 1.1 mi 5.4
Isaac M Bear Early College High School Wilmington 1.4 mi 4.9
R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington 1.3 mi 4.5
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington 1.4 mi 7.2
Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington 1.6 mi 7.1
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington 1.6 mi 6.5
College Park Elementary Wilmington 1.6 mi 4.8
Winter Park Model Elementary Wilmington 2.0 mi 7.8
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington 1.7 mi 7.1
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington 1.7 mi 6.4
Roland-Grise Middle Wilmington 2.3 mi 7.4
PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Wilmington 2.1 mi 4.7
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington 2.4 mi 5.0
WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington 2.4 mi 4.6
John T Hoggard High Wilmington 2.7 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,988

Median Home Value

$337,600

Median Rent

$1,293/mo

Population

40,292

College Educated

47.6%

Homeownership

35.6%

Avg Commute

17.6 min

Poverty Rate

23.7%

Median Age

29.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wilmington Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $50,988. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,600, with a median rent of $1,293/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough, NC 6.5
HOPE ACADEMY GSO Greensboro, NC 6.5
Pine Hall Elementary School Pine Hall, NC 6.5
BNAI SHALOM DAY SCHOOL Greensboro, NC 6.6
New Hope Elementary Henderson, NC 6.4
PEACE ROSE MONTESSORI Wilmington, NC 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilmington Preparatory Academy

What grades does Wilmington Preparatory Academy serve?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Wilmington Preparatory Academy?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Preparatory Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Preparatory Academy is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilmington Preparatory Academy rank in NC?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy is ranked #1273 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Wilmington Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Preparatory Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilmington Preparatory Academy has 27.7% math proficiency and 34.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wilmington Preparatory Academy a charter school?

Yes, Wilmington Preparatory Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Wilmington Preparatory Academy a Title I school?

No, Wilmington Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,004/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilmington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
New Hanover County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wilmington Preparatory Academy
District Enrollment
92
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,289
District Rank
#1 of 1

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.