Dr Hubert Eaton Senior Elementary

Dr Hubert Eaton Senior Elementary is a K–5 school in Wilmington, NC, serving 461 students in the New Hanover County Schools district, where it has earned a reputation as one of the state's most consistently high-performing elementary schools. The school has received 5 stars every year since 2015–2016 and has ranked between the 92nd and 98th percentile statewide over the past decade, with its most recent placement at the 93rd percentile out of roughly 1,500 North Carolina elementary schools.

Eaton's test scores significantly exceed both district and state averages in every subject and grade tested. In 2025–2026, math proficiency ranged from 86.8% to 90.2% and reading from 70.4% to 76.5%, both well above the state ranges. Science is a particular strength: 91.8% of 5th graders were proficient, roughly 24 points above the state average. Among nearby schools, only Ogden Elementary and Wrightsville Beach Elementary score higher overall. Notably, Eaton achieves these results while serving a larger low-income population (about 30% free/reduced-price lunch) than those two schools, and its economically disadvantaged students perform in the top 2% statewide—an indication of strong support for children from all backgrounds.

Eaton also stands out for its attendance culture, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 11.6%—less than half the district (23.8%) and state (24.2%) rates. The school's per-pupil spending of $10,965 is actually lower than several lower-performing nearby schools, including College Park Elementary ($17,443) and R Freeman School of Engineering ($16,676), suggesting efficient use of resources. One caveat worth watching: the Gifted and Talented subgroup ranking has dipped recently, from the 96th to the 44th percentile over three years. Still, for a school that earns top-100 results while serving a moderate-poverty population, Eaton delivers an impressive combination of academic excellence, equity, and consistency that makes it a standout choice for Wilmington families.