Top-Ranked Wilmington Schools in NC: U.S. News Picks Best Elementary and Middle Schools

North Carolina’s Top Performing Schools: A Comprehensive Review

Several New Hanover County and Brunswick County institutions have shined in the 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School Rankings list by U.S. News & World Report, landing in North Carolina’s top 100 public schools.

Leading the Pack: Wrightsville Beach Elementary School

Earning the honor of being the 5th best public elementary school in North Carolina is Wrightsville Beach Elementary School.

Accompanying it on this distinguished list, Union Elementary School from Brunswick County has also been recognized, securing the 26th position statewide.

New Hanover County Schools’ Impressive Performance

Excellent educational institutions are found across the New Hanover County with four other elementary schools earning a spot in North Carolina’s top 100. These include Ogden Elementary School (No. 32), Eaton Elementary School (No. 58), Holly Tree Elementary School (No. 82), and Codington Elementary School (No. 84). Furthermore, Noble Middle School has been ranked No. 96 on North Carolina’s list, reinforcing the county’s educational excellence.

Statewide Rankings in Perspective

Highlighting performances from other counties, Pender County’s highest-ranking schools include North Topsail Elementary School (No. 138) and Topsail Middle School (No. 102). Meanwhile, Brunswick County holds its own with Shallotte Middle School being ranked No. 248 statewide.

At the pinnacle of North Carolina’s public elementary schools stands Lincoln Academy in Greensboro, while Brown Summit Middle School, located in Browns Summit, holds the title for the best public middle school statewide.

These rankings, compiled by U.S. News & World Report, are based on an analysis of over 79,000 public schools at the state and district levels. The schools are ranked by their performance in standardized state required testing, incorporating four ranking indicators, according to the report.

A Deep Dive into the Ranking Process

To break ties in overall scores, the student-to-teacher ratio is considered. While the schools are compared and ranked at state, county, and district levels, a nationwide ranking is not provided by the report. For more insights into the ranking methodology, visit U.S. News & World Report’s website.