For the 2025-26 school year, there are 7 public charter schools serving 2,278 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top ranked public charter schools in New Hanover County, NC are Cape Fear Center For Inquiry, American Leadership Academy-coastal and Island Montessori Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public charter school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Charter Schools in New Hanover County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cape Fear Center For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2525 Wonder Way
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 362-0000
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 362-0000
Gr: K-8 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
American Leadership Academy-coastal
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1135 Pandion Dr
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 839-0012
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 839-0012
Gr: K-10 | 862 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Island Montessori Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6339 Carolina Beach Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 795-4860
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 795-4860
Gr: K-8 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Classical Charter Schools Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
507 N 6th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763-1976
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763-1976
Gr: K-5 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #55.
Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Sunglow Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 338-5258
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 338-5258
Gr: 6-12 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
Wilmington School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1306 Floral Pkwy
Wilmington, NC 28406
(910) 399-3712
Wilmington, NC 28406
(910) 399-3712
Gr: K-6 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Wilmington Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
134 Cinema Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 799-6776
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 799-6776
Gr: K-8 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
New Hanover County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Gr: 6-8 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
1100 Mcrae St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Gr: K-5 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
3830 Juvenile Center Rd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public charter schools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top ranked public charter schools in New Hanover County, NC include Cape Fear Center For Inquiry, American Leadership Academy-coastal and Island Montessori Charter School.
How many public charter schools are located in New Hanover County?
7 public charter schools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public charter schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in New Hanover County include: American Leadership Academy-coastal vs. Cape Fear Center For Inquiry, Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington vs. Cape Fear Center For Inquiry, Classical Charter Schools Of Wilmington vs. Island Montessori Charter School
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