Topsail High School is a High School located in the unincorporated town of Hampstead, North Carolina. It is part of Pender County Schools and its current principal is Dr. Michael Sasscer. Topsail High School is now a North Carolina School of High Growth.
Serving 1,888 students in grades 9-12, Topsail High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 70% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,888 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 17%
- Graduation Rate: 97% (Top 5% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 70% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 66% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Topsail High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Topsail High School's student population of 1,888 students has grown by 28% over five school years.
The teacher population of 88 teachers has grown by 17% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,888 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
88 teachers
Year Founded
1976
School Rankings
Topsail High School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Topsail High School is 0.30, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#309 out of 2617 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
7%
21%
Black
3%
25%
White
83%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
97%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
22%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Pirate
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Topsail High School's ranking?
Topsail High School is ranked #309 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Topsail High School often compared to?
Topsail High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Pender High School, Heide Trask High School, Pender Early College High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
70% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 75% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Topsail High School?
The graduation rate of Topsail High School is 97%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Topsail High School?
1,888 students attend Topsail High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Topsail High School students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Topsail High School?
Topsail High School has a student ration of 21:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Topsail High School offer ?
Topsail High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Topsail High School part of?
Topsail High School is part of Pender County Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Topsail High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
