Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28429

ZIP code 28429 contains four public schools in New Hanover County Schools: Castle Hayne Elementary, Holly Shelter Middle, Wilmington Early College High, and SEA-Technical, enrolling 1,829 students from elementary through high school. Every school in this area serves a predominantly low-income population, with free/reduced lunch eligibility between 98.68% and 99.44%, yet three of the four schools earn 4 or 5 stars. The district, New Hanover County Schools, ranks 84th of 246 North Carolina districts with a 3-star rating.

SEA-Technical is the clear standout, ranked 57th of 662 high schools in the 91st percentile with 5 stars, and improving from 104th just three years ago. It leads New Hanover County Schools and the state on every End-of-Course test, including 93.2% proficiency in Biology versus 58.5% statewide and 88.9% in Math I versus 42.1% statewide, while posting the lowest chronic absenteeism in the ZIP code at 7.8%, the smallest classes at 13.6:1, and the highest per-pupil spending at $13,361. Wilmington Early College High is nearly as strong: ranked 119th with 4 stars, it posts 100% Math III proficiency and 92.1% English II proficiency, with just 8.8% chronic absenteeism — and achieves that while spending the least per student ($8,673) and using the largest student-teacher ratio (20.6:1).

Castle Hayne Elementary is a solid 4-star school ranked in the 71st percentile of elementary schools, with math proficiency above state averages at every grade level and 5th grade science at 78.6% proficiency. Its chronic absenteeism of 17.7% is well below district and state averages. Holly Shelter Middle is the ZIP code's biggest concern: its 3-star ranking has slipped from the 72nd to the 57th percentile over three years, it trails the district in most tested subjects, and its 24.3% chronic absenteeism rate is the highest in the area. The broader pattern is striking: students arrive from a strong elementary school, struggle through middle school, then rebound dramatically at two of the strongest high schools in the state.