Private School Options in Wilmington NC

Public school isn't the only path for families relocating to New Hanover County. Whether you're looking for a faith-based education, a small independent college-prep environment, or a specific learning approach, the Wilmington area has a range of private schools to consider — and thanks to North Carolina's voucher program, private tuition is more accessible to more families than it used to be.

Here's a factual overview of the private-school landscape, what it typically costs as of 2025, and how the state's Opportunity Scholarship program works.

(New to the area? Start with my companion guide, Wilmington-Area Public Schools: How the System Works, for how the public district is organized — or jump to my guide to high schools in and around Wilmington for public, charter, and independent 9–12 options.)

The private-school landscape

For the 2025–26 school year, New Hanover County is home to roughly 23 private schools serving about 4,850 students. They span a wide range: independent (nonsectarian) college-prep schools, Christian and Catholic schools, a Quaker school, and smaller specialized programs. Some cover PreK through 12th grade; others focus on elementary or high school only.

Because every family's priorities are different — faith, class size, academics, athletics, learning support, or commute — the right fit is genuinely personal. This guide is meant to orient you, not to rank or recommend any particular school.

What private school costs in the Wilmington area (2025)

Tuition varies widely by school type and grade level. As of the 2025–26 school year:

Average private-school tuition in New Hanover County runs around $10,600 per year — a bit below the statewide North Carolina average of roughly $13,000.

Faith-based schools tend to sit toward the lower end. For example, Coastal Christian High School's tuition is around $9,144 per year.

Independent college-prep schools sit at the higher end. Cape Fear Academy, the area's largest nonsectarian PreK–12 independent school, lists 2025–26 tuition ranging from about $18,050 (PreK/Kindergarten) up to roughly $25,600 (grades 9–12).

These are ballpark figures to help you plan. Tuition, fees, and financial-aid options change year to year, so always confirm current numbers directly with each school's admissions office.

A sampling of area private schools

A non-exhaustive, alphabetical list of private schools families in the Wilmington area often research (listed for reference only, not as an endorsement):

Cape Fear Academy — independent, nonsectarian, college-prep, PreK–12

Coastal Christian High School — Christian, high school

Friends School of Wilmington — Quaker independent school, PreK–8th grade

Myrtle Grove Christian School — Christian, PreK–12

St. Mary Catholic School — Catholic, elementary/middle

Wilmington Christian Academy — Christian, K–12

Grade ranges, programs, and enrollment change, so check each school's website for current details.

North Carolina is a school-voucher state — here's how that works

North Carolina funds private-school tuition for families through the Opportunity Scholarship program, administered by the NC State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA). Established in 2013 and significantly expanded in recent years, it's one of the reasons private school is worth a look even if you assumed it was out of reach.

How it works, in plain terms:

Every North Carolina K–12 student is now eligible to apply, regardless of household income. A 2023 law removed the old income cap starting with the 2024–25 school year, and families whose children already attend private school can apply too.

The award amount is tied to household income. Lower-income families receive the largest awards; higher-income families receive smaller ones. For the 2025–26 school year, scholarships are worth roughly $3,458 to $7,686 per student, per year, across four income tiers. The lowest tier receives close to what the state spends per public-school student; the top tier receives about 45% of that.

The money goes toward tuition and fees at a participating (eligible) private school — so you'll want to confirm a school participates before counting on it.

Applications run through NCSEAA on set windows (typically opening in late winter/early spring for the following year). Award amounts and funding are set by the state legislature, which funded the program at roughly $625 million for 2025–26.

There's also a separate program, ESA+ (Education Student Accounts), for students with certain disabilities, which can be used for tuition and other approved educational expenses.

Bottom line: if private school is on your radar, it's worth applying for an Opportunity Scholarship early — awards and deadlines are handled by the state, not the schools.

How to research private schools yourself

Use official and neutral sources rather than relying on any one person's take:

NC Opportunity Scholarship & ESA+ (vouchers): k12.ncseaa.edu

Each school's own admissions/tuition page — the only reliable source for current costs and deadlines

NCES Private School Search (federal directory): nces.ed.gov

PrivateSchoolReview.com and Niche.com for profiles, tuition estimates, and parent reviews

Let's talk about your move

If you're relocating to the Wilmington area and weighing public versus private options, I'm happy to help you understand how different neighborhoods, commutes, and school communities fit together so you can make the decision that's right for your family — no pressure, no steering, just local know-how.

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

Information is provided for general reference only and is current as of July 2026. Tuition, fees, scholarship award amounts, eligibility rules, program funding, and application deadlines are set by individual schools and the State of North Carolina and change over time — always verify directly with each school and with the NC State Education Assistance Authority before making decisions. This information does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any school or program. Tabetha Klein, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.