Wilmington, North Carolina, September 10, 2025
News Summary
U.S. News & World Report has ranked high schools across the United States, including 587 in North Carolina. Wilmington-area schools such as School A and School B showcase impressive graduation rates and college readiness. North Carolina ranks No. 28 nationally, with significant achievements among its schools. The Early College at Guilford is highlighted as the top school in the state, while local rankings reveal a diverse performance among schools. These rankings emphasize the importance of educational outcomes and readiness for college.
Wilmington
Wilmington-area high schools have been assessed by U.S. News & World Report, showcasing their performance within North Carolina and across the nation. The rankings, encompassing over 24,000 high schools in the United States, are based on criteria including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, graduation rates, and the performance of underserved students.
In North Carolina, a total of 587 high schools were ranked, with the state earning a position of No. 28 nationally. Remarkably, 51 schools from North Carolina achieved a spot in the top 10% nationwide. The Early College at Guilford located in Greensboro was named the top high school in the state, ranking No. 31 nationally. In terms of national performance, Basis Tucson North from Tucson, Arizona, was identified as the top school in the country.
Wilmington-Area School Rankings
The rankings of public high schools located in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties reveal a range of performance metrics:
- School A:
- State ranking: No. 85
- National ranking: No. 3,144
- Overall score: 82.44
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 1,888
- Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
- School B:
- State ranking: No. 89
- National ranking: No. 3,320
- Overall score: 81.45
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Enrollment: 2,178
- Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
- School C:
- State ranking: No. 115
- National ranking: No. 4,180
- Overall score: 76.65
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 188
- Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
- School D:
- State ranking: No. 117
- National ranking: No. 4,194
- Overall score: 76.57
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 251
- Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
- School E:
- State ranking: No. 122
- National ranking: No. 4,194
- Overall score: 75.6
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 241
- Student-teacher ratio: 23:1
- School F:
- State ranking: No. 136
- National ranking: No. 4,752
- Overall score: 73.45
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 322
- Student-teacher ratio: 28:1
- School G:
- State ranking: No. 182
- National ranking: No. 6,056
- Overall score: 66.17
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Enrollment: 1,899
- Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
- School H:
- State ranking: No. 234
- National ranking: No. 7,311
- Overall score: 59.16
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Enrollment: 1,512
- Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- School I:
- State ranking: No. 235
- National ranking: No. 7,337
- Overall score: 59.01
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Enrollment: 1,182
- Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- School J:
- State ranking: No. 280
- National ranking: No. 8,245
- Overall score: 53.94
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Enrollment: 2,248
- Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
- School K:
- State ranking: No. 298
- National ranking: No. 8,549
- Overall score: 52.24
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 228
- Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- School L:
- State ranking: No. 319
- National ranking: No. 9,081
- Overall score: 49.27
- Graduation rate: 81%
- Enrollment: 1,560
- Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
- School M:
- State ranking: No. 324
- National ranking: No. 9,152
- Overall score: 48.87
- Graduation rate: 80%
- Enrollment: 1,515
- Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
- School N:
- State ranking: No. 404
- National ranking: No. 11,746
- Overall score: 34.38
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Enrollment: 734
- Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
- School O:
- State ranking: Tied with the lowest ranking schools
- National ranking: Tied with the lowest ranking schools
- Overall score: Less than 25
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Enrollment: 672
- Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
What the Rankings Reflect
The rankings illustrate a significant overview of the performance of high schools in the Wilmington area, prompting community members and school officials to assess educational outcomes. They highlight the importance of factors such as college readiness and graduation rates in improving the quality of education.
FAQ
What are the criteria used for the high school rankings?
The rankings were based on several criteria, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency and performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.
How many high schools were ranked in North Carolina?
A total of 587 high schools were ranked in North Carolina.
Which Wilmington-area schools were ranked highest?
The highest-ranked schools were Schools A, B, and C, which achieved state rankings of No. 85, No. 89, and No. 115, respectively.
How does North Carolina’s education system rank nationally?
North Carolina ranks No. 28 among states nationwide according to the U.S. News & World Report list.
What is the significance of these rankings for local schools?
The rankings provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers to identify areas for improvement and gauge the effectiveness of educational initiatives.
Summary Chart of Wilmington-Area High Schools Rankings
| School | State Ranking | National Ranking | Overall Score | Graduation Rate | Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School A | No. 85 | No. 3,144 | 82.44 | Greater than 95% | 1,888 | 21:1 |
| School B | No. 89 | No. 3,320 | 81.45 | 88% | 2,178 | 19:1 |
| School C | No. 115 | No. 4,180 | 76.65 | Greater than 95% | 188 | 20:1 |
| School D | No. 117 | No. 4,194 | 76.57 | Greater than 95% | 251 | 26:1 |
| School E | No. 122 | No. 4,194 | 75.6 | Greater than 95% | 241 | 23:1 |
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Additional Resources
- Star News Online
- Wikipedia: Wilmington, North Carolina
- NC News Online
- Google Search: North Carolina high schools ranking
- Delaware Online
- Google Scholar: High school rankings
- Boston Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High school education
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