Your Guide to High Schools In & Around Wilmington

Hi! I'm Tabi with Making ILM Home, and "where will my kid go to high school?" is one of the very first questions families ask me when they're considering a move to the Wilmington area. It deserves a real answer — not a one-line shrug pointing you at a school rating site.

So I built this guide. It covers every public, charter, and independent high school across the three counties that make up our greater Wilmington market, with a real look at the signature programs that set each campus apart. I've included locations, program details, and direct links to every school's official site and the NC School Report Card so you can dig into test scores, graduation rates, and demographics on your own terms. New to how the district is set up? My Wilmington-area public schools overview explains how North Carolina organizes schools by county.

How I Approach School Information

As a REALTOR®, I do not rank schools, characterize one school as "better" than another, or recommend neighborhoods based on schools. That's not a personal preference - it's the law.

Under the federal Fair Housing Act and NC REALTOR® guidance, agents are required to point clients to objective, official sources for school information rather than offering subjective quality judgments. So that's what you'll find here: program facts, locations, and links to the people whose job it is to publish performance data.

For up-to-date academic performance data, please visit the NC School Report Card — the official state platform run by the NC Department of Public Instruction.

For school attendance zones, please contact each district directly:

New Hanover County Schools: nhcs.net · (910) 254-4206

Brunswick County Schools: bcswan.net · (910) 253-2900

Pender County Schools: pender.k12.nc.us · (910) 259-2187

OK — let's go school by school.

New Hanover County Schools (NHCS)

New Hanover County Schools serves the city of Wilmington plus surrounding communities including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Castle Hayne, Ogden, and Porters Neck. It's the 12th-largest school district in North Carolina and operates four traditional comprehensive high schools plus several specialty programs that students from across the district can apply to.

What makes NHCS interesting is the Signature Programs structure: each of the four big high schools hosts its own specialty academy that students from any zone in the county can apply to attend through the Open Choice process. So even if your home is zoned for Hoggard, your student can apply to the STEM Academy at Laney, the Marine Science Academy at Ashley, or the Lyceum at New Hanover High.

Application timeline: Signature Program applications open in early fall of 8th grade and typically close in January. If you're moving in mid-year or after the window closes, contact NHCS directly — late applications are sometimes considered. Source: NHCS Specialty Schools & Programs.

John T. Hoggard High School

Address: 4305 Shipyard Boulevard, Wilmington, NC 28403

Phone: (910) 350-2072

Mascot: Vikings (blue and white)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~2,178

Official site: hoggard.nhcs.net

Signature program: IB Diploma Programme

Hoggard is the only public high school in the greater Wilmington area authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School (authorized 2016, school code 050680). The IB Diploma Programme is a globally recognized two-year course of study during 11th and 12th grade in which students take six subject groups — Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts — plus the IB "core" components: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS).

Students prepare for the full Diploma through a Pre-IB program in grades 9–10, with Hoggard offering 60 freshman seats per year through the Signature Program common application. Beyond IB, Hoggard also offers a deep AP catalog and a wide CTE menu, plus 25 varsity/JV teams across 13 sports. Source: International Baccalaureate Organization and NHCS IB Programme page.

Emsley A. Laney High School

Address: 2700 N. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405

Phone: (910) 790-2360

Mascot: Buccaneers (blue and gold)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~2,243

Official site: laney.nhcs.net

Signature program: STEM Academy

Laney's STEM Academy is a two-year immersive program for 11th and 12th graders, preceded by the Pre-STEM program in grades 9–10 that helps students complete the heavy prerequisite track (Honors English I–II, Honors Math I–III, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Earth & Environmental or AP Environmental, Honors World History or Honors Civics).

Once in the Academy, students choose one of two pathways:

Engineering — Project Lead The Way curriculum, advanced design and engineering coursework

Biochemical Sciences — advanced biology, chemistry, and research methodology

The Academy emphasizes leadership, fieldwork, and a senior research experience. Laney is also the alma mater of Michael Jordan (Class of 1981), which the campus does not let anyone forget. Athletics are strong across the board. Source: NHCS STEM Program.

Eugene Ashley High School

Address: 555 Halyburton Memorial Parkway, Wilmington, NC 28412

Phone: (910) 790-2360

Mascot: Screaming Eagles (garnet and gold)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~1,899

Official site: ashley.nhcs.net

Signature program: Marine Science Academy

Ashley sits less than five miles from Carolina Beach, and that proximity to the ocean drives the school's identity. The Marine Science Academy is a partnership with UNC Wilmington that lets students take college-level Oceanography (OCN 150) and Biology (BIO 170) coursework, with internships and field opportunities at UNCW and Cape Fear Community College. Students who successfully complete the OCN 150 / BIO 170 sequence receive a waiver to advance to upper-level UNCW coursework without repeating.

Freshmen interested in the Academy can enter a Marine Biology Cohort in 9th grade, then apply to the full Academy as sophomores or juniors.

Ashley also offers the AP Capstone Diploma and a notably broad CTE program, with pathways in:

Adobe Academy (graphic design, video editing, digital illustration)

Advanced Manufacturing (CNC, quality control, engineering tech)

Architectural Drafting

Drafting & Engineering (AutoCAD, Revit)

Drone Technology (FAA TRUST + Part 107 prep)

Culinary Arts

Electrical apprenticeships and small motor / outboard systems

Notable alumni include Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith and MLB pitcher Trevor Kelley. Sources: NHCS Marine Science Academy and Ashley CTE Pathways.

New Hanover High School

Address: 1307 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

Phone: (910) 251-6100

Mascot: Wildcats (orange and black)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~1,515

Official site: newhanoverhs.nhcs.net

Signature program: Lyceum Academy

NHHS is the oldest high school in Wilmington, founded in 1922 in a beautiful Wilkins-designed building right downtown. Its Signature Program, the Lyceum Academy, was established in 1998 and is a humanities-focused honors and AP track for academically motivated students from anywhere in New Hanover County.

The two-year Lyceum experience includes:

AP coursework worth up to 10 college credits, with a reported AP pass rate around 80% (vs. national average closer to 50%)

Required field study experiences including Camp Don Lee, Washington DC, an Appalachian Field Study, and walking trips to historic Wilmington sites like Bellamy Mansion and the Latimer House

An optional international travel experience post-graduation

A team-taught, integrated curriculum across English, history, and the humanities

Lyceum is open by application to any NHC resident — students don't have to be officially Academically Gifted to apply.

NHHS is also the most ethnically diverse high school in the county and has a deep athletic tradition (over 30 state championships across sports). Source: NHCS Lyceum FAQ.

Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-Tech)

Address: 5301 Sidbury Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429

Mascot: Sea Dragons (royal blue, seafoam green, anchor gray)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~265

Official site: seatech.nhcs.net

SEA-Tech is a Cooperative Innovative High School (CIHS) — a small public high school partnered directly with Cape Fear Community College. Students earn a high school diploma, college credits, and industry certifications simultaneously. It serves both New Hanover and Pender counties and operates on a project-based, hands-on model.

Course pathways are organized around seven sectors tied to the region's actual job market:

Advanced Manufacturing

Computer and Network Engineering

Health Science and Public Services

Hospitality and Tourism

Residential and Commercial Construction

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Transportation and Logistics

Application is through the 8th-grade Signature Program process. Source: CFCC Cooperative Innovative High Schools.

Isaac Bear Early College High School

Address: 630 MacMillan Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403 (on the UNCW campus)

Mascot: Bearhawks (teal and navy)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~251

Official site: isaacbear.nhcs.net

Isaac Bear is a selective-enrollment Early College located right on the UNC Wilmington campus. Students can earn up to 60 college credits during high school — roughly two years of college work at no cost — while completing their diploma. Enrollment is limited (around 100 applicants accepted annually) and the application process happens in 8th grade.

The school launched in 2006 through a partnership between NHCS, UNCW, and the Gates Foundation, and it specifically targets first-generation college students and academically motivated learners looking for a non-traditional, college-immersive environment.

Wilmington Early College High School

Address: Cape Fear Community College campus (downtown Wilmington)

Grades: 9–12 · Small cohort enrollment

Official site: wechs.nhcs.net

A second CIHS option in NHCS, partnered with Cape Fear Community College. Like Isaac Bear (which is paired with UNCW), Wilmington Early College lets students earn meaningful college credit toward an Associate's degree alongside their high school diploma. Application happens in 8th grade through the CIHS process. Source: CFCC CIHS partnership.

Career Readiness Academy at Mosley

A smaller non-traditional NHCS high school option focused on students who benefit from a different pace or alternative learning environment. Contact NHCS Student Support for current details: (910) 254-4206.

Brunswick County Schools (BCS)

Brunswick County covers Leland, Belville, Navassa, Bolivia, Southport, Oak Island, Boiling Spring Lakes, Shallotte, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash, and a lot of beautiful countryside in between. The district operates three comprehensive high schools (North, South, and West Brunswick), plus an Early College and a shared CTE center.

What makes Brunswick County interesting structurally is the COAST (Center of Applied Sciences & Technology) — a share-time CTE hub that all four BCS high schools feed into. Students from any base school can spend half their day at COAST taking advanced CTE coursework that wouldn't otherwise be available at their home campus, then ride district transportation back. This dramatically expands what's available in a small district.

North Brunswick High School

Location: Leland, NC

Mascot: Scorpions

Official site: nbhs.bcswan.net

North Brunswick is the closest BCS high school to Wilmington proper, serving fast-growing Leland and Belville. The school has a strong AP catalog and dual enrollment partnership with Brunswick Community College, plus the well-known NBHS Marching Scorps (the marching band) and active JROTC and arts programs. Students can also take CTE coursework at the COAST center.

South Brunswick High School

Address: 260 Cougar Drive, Boiling Spring Lakes, NC 28461

Mascot: Cougars (Carolina blue and navy)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~1,054

Official site: sbhs.bcswan.net

South Brunswick covers the largest geographic district area in the county — Winnabow, Town Creek, Oak Island, Southport, Bolivia, Boiling Spring Lakes, Supply, and Varnamtown. It competes in the NCHSAA Southeastern Conference and offers a wide athletic and arts program in addition to standard college-prep and CTE pathways. The school has historically had ties to aquaculture and marine-related career pathways through the COAST center.

West Brunswick High School

Location: Shallotte, NC

Mascot: Trojans

Official site: wbhs.bcswan.net

West Brunswick serves the southern beaches area — Shallotte, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash, and inland communities. The school has a strong AP program, dual enrollment with Brunswick Community College, and feeds into the COAST CTE programs alongside its siblings.

Brunswick County Early College High School

Location: Bolivia, NC (Brunswick Community College campus)

Grades: 9–13 (5-year program model)

A small early-college high school co-located with Brunswick Community College that allows students to graduate with a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit (or an Associate's degree) over a five-year span. Selective application process in 8th grade. Reported one of the higher state ranking placements among BCS schools per US News.

The COAST — Center of Applied Sciences & Technology

Official site: coast.bcswan.net

Rather than a traditional high school, the COAST is a share-time CTE center that all BCS high schoolers can attend for half of their school day. Students take two CTE courses in either a morning or afternoon block, then return to their base school for the rest of their schedule. Programs are honors-level and project-based, covering pathways like:

Health Sciences & Biomedical

Engineering & Manufacturing

Construction & Building Trades

Cosmetology

Public Safety

Hospitality and Culinary

Information Technology

Bus transportation between base schools and the COAST is provided by the district. Source: COAST CTE Programs.

Pender County Schools

Pender County wraps around the north and northeast of New Hanover County, stretching from the coast at Surf City and Hampstead inland through Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Penderlea. It's a more rural district overall, with three comprehensive high schools plus an Early College and an Innovative Learning Academy.

Topsail High School

Address: 245 N. St. Johns Church Road, Hampstead, NC 28443

Phone: (910) 270-2755

Mascot: Pirates (black and gold)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~1,945

Official site: pender.k12.nc.us/o/ths

Topsail is the largest high school in Pender County, serving Hampstead, Surf City, Topsail Beach, and the coastal northern stretch closest to Wilmington. The campus is relatively new (opened January 2009) — a 224,000+ square foot facility with two gymnasiums, a theater/auditorium wing, and a separate shop building for wood, metal, and automotive CTE classes.

The school offers a robust AP program (15+ AP courses with strong pass rates), dual enrollment with Cape Fear Community College, and a deep CTE program with certifications like ServSafe and Guest Service Gold Tourism. In 2025, Topsail was named the NCHSAA Exemplary School Award winner — the top overall high school athletic program in the entire state. Sources: Pender County Schools and the 2025 NCHSAA award announcement.

Pender High School

Address: 5380 NC Hwy 53 W, Burgaw, NC 28425

Phone: (910) 259-0162

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~672

Official site: Linked through pender.k12.nc.us

Pender High serves the county seat of Burgaw and surrounding rural western Pender County. The school offers AP coursework, a Gifted & Talented program, JROTC, and CTE pathways — and feeds into the SEA-Tech and Pender Early College options for students wanting more career-tech or college-credit focus.

Heide Trask High School

Address: 14328 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457

Phone: (910) 602-6810

Mascot: Titans (black, royal blue, silver)

Grades: 9–12 · Approx. enrollment: ~732

Official site: pender.k12.nc.us/o/htshs

Heide Trask serves Rocky Point and the southwestern corner of Pender County (close to the Castle Hayne / northern New Hanover line). The school opened in 2002 and offers AP coursework, athletics across most major NCHSAA sports, and dual-enrollment pathways via CFCC.

Pender Early College High School

Address: 100 East Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425

Grades: 9–13 (5-year early-college model)

Pender Early College is a Cooperative Innovative High School partnered with Cape Fear Community College. Students can earn up to an Associate's degree alongside their high school diploma over five years, at no cost. Application is during 8th grade. The school is consistently among the higher state-ranked Pender schools (US News reports it around 115th in NC). Source: CFCC CIHS.

Pender Innovative Learning Academy

Address: 1886 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457

A non-traditional Pender option focused on alternative pace and learning models. For specifics on enrollment and programs, contact Pender County Schools directly: (910) 259-2187.

Charter School Options

Public charter schools in North Carolina are tuition-free and open to any NC resident through a lottery enrollment process when demand exceeds capacity. Charters operate independently of district school boards but are accountable to the state for academic outcomes.

GLOW Academy (Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington)

Address: 4100 Sunglow Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405

Phone: (910) 338-5258

Grades: 6–12 (all-girls)

Tuition: Free (public charter)

Official site: glowacademy.net

GLOW is North Carolina's only tuition-free, all-girls public charter school, founded in 2016 and currently serving grades 6 through 12. Their model centers on:

Rigorous college-preparatory coursework with a STEAM emphasis

A 10:1 student-teacher ratio (smaller than most district schools)

Leadership development, character building, and one-on-one college counseling

A reported 100% college acceptance rate for the Class of 2025

In 2025 the NC Charter School Review Board granted GLOW a 10-year charter renewal — the longest possible term — citing academic outcomes and growth. Source: GLOW Academy.

Other charter options in the area serve K–8 grades and aren't covered here. The Wilmington area also has Wilmington School of the Arts (charter) and Coastal Preparatory Academy (charter) at lower grade levels.

Independent & Private High Schools

These are tuition-based schools that admit students through their own application and admissions processes. Costs vary widely — please confirm current tuition directly with each school. For the full private-school picture — including average tuition and how North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship vouchers can offset it — see my Wilmington-area private schools guide.

Cape Fear Academy

Address: 3900 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28412

Grades: PK3–12 (co-ed, day school)

Approx. enrollment: ~720 total · 9:1 student-teacher ratio

Tuition (2025–26): Grades 9–12 listed at $25,600

Official site: capefearacademy.org

CFA is the area's largest independent, college-preparatory day school, founded in 1967 and accredited through the National Association of Independent Schools. The Upper School (9–12) offers a wide AP catalog, with over 90% of CFA Upper School students reportedly scoring 3, 4, or 5 on AP exams (per the school). The campus sits on 37+ acres and the school competes in the NCISAA for athletics across 23 sports.

A note on history that families sometimes ask about: CFA was originally established in 1967 and, like many private schools founded in the South in that era, has openly addressed its early history. In 2023, the school announced an anonymous donor had established a $5 million scholarship fund for students of color, and the school publishes its current diversity initiatives on its site.

Coastal Christian High School

Location: Wilmington, NC

Grades: 9–12 (co-ed, interdenominational Christian)

Approx. enrollment: ~295

Tuition (recent): Around $9,144 for top grade

Official site: coastalchristian.net

CCHS is an interdenominational Christian college-preparatory school offering Honors and AP-level coursework on a faith-based foundation. The Upper School offers AP courses including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, European History, American History, and English. Students must complete two units of Bible coursework along with the standard college-prep curriculum, plus a Fine Arts credit. The school competes in the NCISAA across multiple sports. Admissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Other independent options in the area include Wilmington Christian Academy (PK-12), Friends School of Wilmington (PK-8), and Myrtle Grove Christian School (PK-8) — these don't all serve high school but are part of the broader landscape.

Cross-County Transfers: What to Know

This is one of the most misunderstood topics for relocating families, so it deserves its own section.

The short version: New Hanover County's Signature Programs are open to NHC residents. Brunswick and Pender County families generally cannot attend NHCS specialty programs without a formal release letter from their home district, and acceptance into an out-of-county program is discretionary — meaning the receiving district doesn't have to take you even if the home district releases you.

What this means in practice:

If you live in Leland (Brunswick County) but love Hoggard's IB program, you'd need both Brunswick County Schools' permission to release your student AND New Hanover County Schools' acceptance — and capacity has to exist.

Some specialty programs (like SEA-Tech) are designed to serve more than one county, which is the exception.

Where you buy a home is the single biggest determinant of which schools your child can attend without an out-of-county process.

I cannot tell you which side of any county line is "better" for your family — that's a Fair Housing line I will not cross — but I can help you understand the county boundaries clearly so you know what you're choosing as you tour homes.

Timeline for Incoming Families (Rising 9th Graders)

If you're moving to the Wilmington area and your student will be entering 9th grade, here's a general timeline. These windows shift slightly each year, so always confirm directly with each district.

8th Grade — Late Summer / Early Fall:

Confirm your new home's school attendance zones with the district directly

Attend 8th-grade transition nights at base schools and at any Signature Program you're considering

8th Grade — Fall:

NHCS Signature Program common application opens (typically September/October)

Early College applications open

Charter school lottery applications open (typically late fall through early winter)

8th Grade — Winter:

NHCS Signature Program applications typically close in January

Charter lotteries are usually drawn in February or March

Cape Fear Academy / Coastal Christian and other private schools have rolling application windows but most families apply by early spring

8th Grade — Spring:

Acceptance and waitlist notifications go out (March–April for most programs)

Final school placement decisions

Class registration at your enrolled school

8th Grade — Summer:

Summer reading and orientation programs at most schools

High school open houses and meet-the-teacher events

Frequently Asked Questions

What public high schools are in Wilmington, NC?

The four traditional comprehensive high schools in New Hanover County are John T. Hoggard High School, Emsley A. Laney High School, Eugene Ashley High School, and New Hanover High School. The district also operates several specialty schools including SEA-Tech (career & technical), Isaac Bear Early College (at UNCW), and Wilmington Early College (at CFCC).

Which Wilmington-area high school has the IB program?

John T. Hoggard High School is the only public high school in the greater Wilmington area authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Students apply through the NHCS Signature Program common application in 8th grade and prepare through a Pre-IB track in grades 9–10 before entering the full Diploma Programme in 11th grade.

Can my child attend a New Hanover County specialty program if we live in Brunswick or Pender County?

Generally, no — not without a formal release letter from your home county and acceptance from New Hanover County Schools (which is discretionary and depends on capacity). The main exception is SEA-Tech, which is intentionally structured to serve both NHCS and Pender County. If you want to access a specific NHCS specialty program, the most reliable path is to live within New Hanover County. Contact each district directly for current transfer policies.

How do I find out which school zone a specific home is in?

Contact the district directly — New Hanover County Schools at (910) 254-4206, Brunswick County Schools at (910) 253-2900, or Pender County Schools at (910) 259-2187. Each district maintains current attendance zone maps and can tell you exactly which schools serve a specific address. Don't rely on third-party real estate sites for zone info; they can be out of date.

What is the application timeline for NHCS Signature Programs?

NHCS Signature Programs (IB at Hoggard, STEM at Laney, Marine Science at Ashley, Lyceum at New Hanover, plus Early Colleges and SEA-Tech) typically open applications in September or October of 8th grade and close in January. Notifications go out in spring. If you're moving mid-cycle, contact NHCS Specialty Programs directly to ask about late applications.

Is GLOW Academy really tuition-free?

Yes. GLOW Academy is a public charter school, which means it receives state funding like a district school and does not charge tuition. Admission is through a public lottery if applications exceed capacity. GLOW serves girls in grades 6–12 and is North Carolina's only tuition-free, all-girls public charter school.

What private high school options exist in Wilmington?

The two largest 9–12 independent options are Cape Fear Academy (PK–12, co-ed, $25,600 high school tuition for 2025–26) and Coastal Christian High School (9–12, interdenominational Christian, around $9,144). There are also smaller faith-based and specialized options, plus a number of K–8 private schools whose families typically transition to public high schools or other private options at 9th grade.

Where can I find school performance data?

The NC School Report Card at ncreports.ondemand.sas.com is the official state platform run by the NC Department of Public Instruction and is the most authoritative source for proficiency, growth, graduation rates, and demographic data. Third-party sites like GreatSchools, Niche, and US News present rankings, but these are based on different methodologies and weighted differently — please use them as a starting point, not the final word.

Do all New Hanover County students attend high school in NHCS?

Most do, but not all. Some families choose public charter schools (like GLOW), early colleges (Isaac Bear at UNCW, Wilmington Early College at CFCC), CIHS career-tech schools (SEA-Tech), or independent schools (Cape Fear Academy, Coastal Christian, and others). And of course homeschooling is an option for families who choose that path.

How do I learn more about a specific school's culture?

The most reliable way is to visit the school. Most NHCS, BCS, and Pender schools host open houses in the spring and welcome prospective family tours by appointment year-round. Specialty programs typically host their own information sessions in the fall. I'm also happy to share what I've learned from clients whose students attend each of these schools — just reach out.

Let's Find a Home Near the Right School Zone for Your Family

The school question is the question I love helping families work through. There's so much great information available — and you are the one who knows what your kid needs. My job is to make sure you've got the facts to make that decision well, and to help you tour homes in the zones that fit your family's plan.

If you're moving to the Wilmington area and want to talk through neighborhoods, school zones, or the timeline for getting your student enrolled, I'd love to chat.

Tabi | Making ILM Home
REALTOR® • Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
910-983-8963 | www.makingilmhome.com | Instagram @theILMrealtor

Between the river and the sea — with Goose and Maple at my side.

This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects information available as of publication. School programs, addresses, phone numbers, tuition rates, and application timelines change. Always confirm directly with each school or district. I do not rank schools or recommend neighborhoods based on schools — please use the NC School Report Card (ncreports.ondemand.sas.com) and direct district contact for performance data and attendance zone questions.

Tabetha Klein, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.