Very Good
#918 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 35% in state
Wrightsville Beach Elem
Elementary School · New Hanover County Schools
220 Coral Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#748 of 1,474
In district
#20 of 41
New Hanover County Schools
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Wrightsville Beach Elem
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School serves 273 students in kindergarten through fifth grade with an impressive 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio and 18 full-time equivalent teachers. This high-performing public elementary school has earned an exceptional MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks 59th among North Carolina's 2,661 elementary schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates outstanding academic achievement with 93% of students scoring proficient or above in mathematics and 85% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading.
These strong results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across all grade levels. Located at 220 Coral Drive, Wrightsville Beach Elementary sits within an affluent coastal community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $121,417. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low 6.8% poverty rate, with median home values of $973,800, indicating a well-resourced community that strongly supports education.
The school operates in a large suburban setting within New Hanover County, providing students with the benefits of a close-knit beach community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational resources and opportunities that come with its suburban location near North Carolina's coast.
Score Breakdown
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Wrightsville Beach Elem — Students at Wrightsville Beach Elem score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 5.7/10.
How Wrightsville Beach Elem Compares
See how Wrightsville Beach Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 93.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 85.4% (2025).
Location
220 Coral Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wrightsville Beach Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem (rated 8.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winter Park Model Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Murrayville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wrightsville Beach, see our Wrightsville Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON Wilmington | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington | 2.9 mi | 7.6 |
| ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wilmington | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| M C S Noble Middle Wilmington | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington | 3.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington | 4.1 mi | 8.3 |
| PROVIDENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Wilmington | 3.8 mi | 4.7 |
| College Park Elementary Wilmington | 4.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Masonboro Elementary Wilmington | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Isaac M Bear Early College High School Wilmington | 4.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Winter Park Model Elementary Wilmington | 4.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Holly Tree Elementary Wilmington | 5.1 mi | 6.4 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 5.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Roland-Grise Middle Wilmington | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| John T Hoggard High Wilmington | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Wilmington Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 5.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 6.5 mi | 7.7 |
| NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilmington | 6.0 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28480 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$165,682
Median Home Value
$1,049,500
Median Rent
$1,892/mo
Population
2,727
College Educated
72%
Homeownership
81.2%
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Median Age
55.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wrightsville Beach Elem has a median household income of $165,682. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,049,500, with a median rent of $1,892/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.2 |
| Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC | 7.2 |
| Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington, NC | 7.2 |
| Ibraham Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Moncure School Moncure, NC | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wrightsville Beach Elem
What grades does Wrightsville Beach Elem serve?
Wrightsville Beach Elem serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Wrightsville Beach Elem?
Wrightsville Beach Elem has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wrightsville Beach Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Wrightsville Beach Elem is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wrightsville Beach Elem rank in NC?
Wrightsville Beach Elem is ranked #918 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Wrightsville Beach Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Wrightsville Beach Elem has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Wrightsville Beach Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wrightsville Beach Elem has 90.5% math proficiency and 85.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wrightsville Beach Elem a charter school?
No, Wrightsville Beach Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wrightsville Beach Elem a Title I school?
No, Wrightsville Beach Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wrightsville Beach Elem?
12.8% of students at Wrightsville Beach Elem qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wrightsville Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 273
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- New Hanover County
- Phone
- (910) 256-3171
- 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
- #20 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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