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
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Wilmington Preparatory Academy — Students at Wilmington Preparatory Academy score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 7.6/10.
How Wilmington Preparatory Academy Compares
See how Wilmington Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 35.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 40.4% (2025).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (910) 799-6776
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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