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Wilmington Preparatory Academy

Q: Is Wilmington Preparatory Academy a good school?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy ranks 1108 th of 1490 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

1108^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,490 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 26% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Wilmington Preparatory Academy is a public charter elementary and middle school serving grades K-8 in Wilmington, North Carolina, with a small student population of 92 students. The school is part of the Wilmington Preparatory Academy district, which is ranked 199 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Wilmington Preparatory Academy has consistently underperformed compared to the state average on standardized tests across grade levels and subject areas. In 2024-2025, only 14.3% of 5th graders were proficient or better in Math and Reading, compared to the state averages of 59.3% and 52.9%, respectively. The school's performance has been particularly low for certain student subgroups, ranking 239 out of 896 North Carolina elementary schools for African American students, but only 1147 out of 1437 for students of low socioeconomic status. In contrast, nearby schools like The International School at Gregory and Wilmington School of the Arts have generally outperformed Wilmington Preparatory Academy and the state averages on standardized tests.

Wilmington Preparatory Academy has a relatively small student-teacher ratio of 9-9.5 students per teacher, which is lower than the nearby schools. However, the school's free and reduced-price lunch rate is not available, making it difficult to assess the socioeconomic status of the student population. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of North Carolina elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years, while The International School at Gregory and Wilmington School of the Arts have higher rankings and ratings, with 3-star and 4-star ratings, respectively.

Students ?

7.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

79.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

134 Cinema Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403

(910) 799-6776

District: Wilmington Preparatory Academy

Racial breakdown:

African American:

71.4%

Hispanic:

12.1%

White:

9.9%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Wilmington Preparatory Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 6th percentile in 2023 → 26th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 26th (2025) from a 6th-percentile low (2023)

✓Small classes — about 8 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (35% vs 55% meeting standards)

!Mathematics scores 27 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school35%

North Carolina avg55%

1,108^th of 1,490

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 26%▼ down 33 pts since 2015

From top 42% (2015) to bottom 26% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

199^th of 242Wilmington Preparatory Academy among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	28.6	1108 of 1490	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	10.5	1411 of 1502	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	26.1	1154 of 1514	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	17.8	1249 of 1489	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	23.5	1214 of 1473	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.1	1197 of 1434	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	38.0	947 of 1429	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	34.7	1008 of 1425	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	58.1	601 of 1440	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	40.6	839 of 1390	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	19.9	1189 of 1403	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	44.8	851 of 1388	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	26.7	1111 of 1381	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	7.9	1307 of 1363	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	1.7	1343 of 1354	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	1.8	1317 of 1324	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	35.7	611 of 927	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	60.6	239 of 896	73.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	29.0	1147 of 1437	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.9	1039 of 1361	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	48.8	406 of 793	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	18.7	667 of 786	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.6	700 of 741	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	43.8	434 of 737	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	35.1	470 of 691	32.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	55.7	322 of 694	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2016	39.8	441 of 692	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	42.2	415 of 705	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	18.7	525 of 627	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.0	488 of 673	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	39.6	468 of 662	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	33.8	373 of 550	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	55.9	174 of 494	64.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	59.1	222 of 639	65.3%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	4.6	704 of 711	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

African American (2022)34th percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)20th percentile-5 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2019)65th percentile+24 vs school

African American (2022)32nd percentile+17 vs school

Male (2021)1st percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2024-2025) ?

Reading38%-14 vs state

Mathematics31%-27 vs state

4.0

5 ratings · 5 written reviews

5★3

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Wednesday, October 18, 2017

excellent teachers, great office staff, fantastic families, terrific students! Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, October 14, 2011

The teachers and staff at WPA have the student as their top priority. There is a dedicated and supportive staff who work hard to help each student succeed. I personally work extra hard to individualize instruction to meet the needs of each student. The curriculum used is data driven and proven to work, yet the teachers are given the flexibility to adapt lessons to meet student needs. Working in a smaller school makes WPA like a family where everyone knows one another and works together to provide the best school experience for all of our students. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The staff at this school have got to be kidding! They are very unprofessional and do not own up to their responsibility. They are extremely messy in how they manage the school and their people skills are very lacking to say the least. The one person at the front desk appears flustered if more than one thing is going on at a time and since this IS an elementary school, 90% of the time there's at least 3 or more things happening at once. Ms. Robinson, who is part founder of WPA, is as unprofessional and as messy as her staff. They offer transportation but it seems that it is never available. Either the bus is broken down, sent away for inspection, or the bus driver (both the permanant driver AND the substitute driver) has neglected to show up for work. Each time I've voiced a complaint to anyone there, I'm looked at like I'm the issue. Not once has anyone there sat me down, apologized and asked me to bear with them. In fact, I was told by Ms. Robinson (who is part founder as I understand it) that my child does not have to come back since this is a "parents choice" school. Wow. That was just the last straw for me. If you have a very low tolerance for messiness, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL!!! I plan on taking this a lot further. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, June 4, 2011

This school has been perfect for my son! The small class size is important to me. They work the kids hard on the 3 R's but there's a lot of fun stuff going on too. I'll give them FIVE stars after we get in the new building next month! Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, December 24, 2010

Wilmington Preparatory Academy is a Public Charter school whose teachers and administrators fully supports the holistic development of all students that enter this noble institution.
This school offers small class sizes wherein students recieves the necessary individualize instruction that all child deserves. Close Quote

Schools Near Wilmington Preparatory Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				EOG Mathematics (2025)						EOG Reading (2025)						EOG Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wilmington Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	134 Cinema Drive	Wilmington	28403	New Hanover County	Wilmington Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(910) 799-6776	91	12	7.7		9 (9.9%)	65 (71.4%)	11 (12.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (6.6%)	28.6	1108^th of 1490 public elementary schools	25.6%					(n/a)			14.3	50.0					14.3	66.7
R Freeman School of Engineering	Public, Magnet	K-5	2601 Princess Place Drive	Wilmington	28405	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(910) 251-6011	241	22	10.8	98.8%	7 (2.9%)	170 (70.5%)	44 (18.3%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.5%)	1.1	1488^th of 1490 public elementary schools	0.1%		1.1	1503^rd of 1505 public elementary schools	0.1%	15	16.7	15.0	12.8				5.6	17.5	10.3				25.6		$16,676	$2,332	$14,344
Forest Hills Global Elementary	Public	K-5	602 Colonial Drive	Wilmington	28403	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 251-6190	340	32	10.7	99.1%	43 (12.6%)	146 (42.9%)	130 (38.2%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.3%)	13.5	1373^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	7.9%		9.5	1432^nd of 1505 public elementary schools	4.9%	59	48.1	40.3	47.4				20.4	22.6	28.1				36.8		$14,096	$1,993	$12,103
Wilmington School of the Arts	Public, Virtual, Charter	K-7	1306 Floral Pkwy	Wilmington	28403	New Hanover County	Wilmington School of the Arts	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	(910) 399-3712	297	20	14.7	58.2%	192 (64.6%)	26 (8.8%)	32 (10.8%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	5 (1.7%)	38 (12.8%)	51	730^th of 1490 public elementary schools	51.0%		51.9	717^th of 1505 public elementary schools	52.4%	13	69.6	60.0	45.5	54.5	60.0		45.7	67.5	54.5	40.9	80.0		36.4
College Park Elementary	Public	K-5	5001 Oriole Drive	Wilmington	28403	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 350-2058	470	35	13.2	99.4%	93 (19.8%)	175 (37.2%)	153 (32.6%)	11 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	36 (7.7%)	13.4	1374^th of 1490 public elementary schools	7.8%		13.4	1386^th of 1505 public elementary schools	7.9%	12	50.6	29.3	40.6				19.8	29.3	33.3				44.9		$17,443	$1,558	$15,885
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des	Public, Magnet	K-5	2150 Chestnut Street	Wilmington	28405	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(910) 251-6175	342	27	12.7	99.1%	37 (10.8%)	216 (63.2%)	60 (17.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (8.2%)	14.6	1353^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	9.2%		14.2	1375^th of 1505 public elementary schools	8.6%	22	44.8	36.4	41.4				17.2	27.3	24.6				55.2		$15,103	$2,324	$12,779
Winter Park Model Elementary	Public	K-5	204 S MacMillan Ave	Wilmington	28403	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 350-2159	311	25	12.3	99.0%	136 (43.7%)	45 (14.5%)	108 (34.7%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.5%)	55.1	653^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	56.2%		54	685^th of 1505 public elementary schools	54.5%	32	72.6	64.6	52.4				41.9	60.4	47.6				64.3		$15,516	$1,728	$13,788
Edwin A Alderman Elementary	Public	K-5	2025 Independence Blvd	Wilmington	28403	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 350-2031	255	22	11.4	98.8%	108 (42.4%)	89 (34.9%)	32 (12.5%)	8 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.1%)	12.1	1392^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	6.6%		28.9	1121^st of 1505 public elementary schools	25.5%	271	29.6	39.0	44.2				16.7	34.1	30.2				46.5		$14,178	$1,969	$12,209
The International School at Gregory	Public, Magnet	K-8	1106 Ann St	Wilmington	28401	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(910) 251-6185	514	37	13.7	99.4%	171 (33.3%)	114 (22.2%)	198 (38.5%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.4%)	58.3	594^th of 1490 public elementary schools	60.1%		64.4	497^th of 1505 public elementary schools	67.0%	97	44.6	59.3	61.4	65.9	67.7	67.9	43.1	64.4	64.9	68.3	64.5	60.7	66.7	75.0	$18,192	$1,517	$16,675
Lake Forest Academy	Public	K-8	1802 S 15th Street	Wilmington	28401	New Hanover County	New Hanover County Schools	No	No	No	No	(910) 772-2515	45	14	3.2	93.3%	14 (31.1%)	21 (46.7%)	3 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (13.3%)								(n/a)															$44,023	$483	$43,539

Frequently Asked Questions about Wilmington Preparatory Academy

How many students attend Wilmington Preparatory Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 91 students attended Wilmington Preparatory Academy.

Is Wilmington Preparatory Academy a good school?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy ranks 1108^th of 1490 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What district is Wilmington Preparatory Academy in?

Wilmington Preparatory Academy

What is the racial makeup of Wilmington Preparatory Academy?

Students at Wilmington Preparatory Academy are 71% African American, 12% Hispanic, 10% White, 7% Two or more races.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.