Top 5 Best New Hanover County Public Charter Schools (2025)

For the 2025 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)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cape Fear Center For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Wonder Way
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 362-0000
Grades: K-8
| 404 students
Rank: #22.
American Leadership Academy-coastal
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1135 Pandion Dr
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 839-0012
Grades: K-10
| 862 students
Rank: #33.
Island Montessori Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6339 Carolina Beach Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 795-4860
Grades: K-8
| 214 students
Rank: #44.
Classical Charter Schools Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
507 N 6th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763-1976
Grades: K-5
| 133 students
Rank: #55.
Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4100 Sunglow Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 338-5258
Grades: 6-12
| 344 students
Rank: #66.
Wilmington School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1306 Floral Pkwy
Wilmington, NC 28406
(910) 399-3712
Grades: K-6
| 229 students
Rank: #77.
Wilmington Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
134 Cinema Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 799-6776
Grades: K-8
| 92 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in New Hanover County, NC

New Hanover County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Grades: 6-8
| 206 students
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1100 Mcrae St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Grades: K-5
| 130 students
3830 Juvenile Center Rd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students

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?

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