Best High Schools in Zip Code 28443

Zip code 28443, covering the Hampstead area of North Carolina, is served by a single high school, Topsail High, which enrolls students in grades 9 through 12. As the only high school in the zip code, Topsail High carries significant community responsibility and draws from a broad geographic area, with a large enrollment of 1,945 students. The school is part of Pender County Schools, a district that ranks 120th out of 246 districts in North Carolina with a 3-star rating. Topsail High, however, is a standout within the district, holding a 4-star rating and ranking 168th out of 662 high schools statewide, placing it in the top quarter of North Carolina schools. It has maintained this high ranking for three consecutive years, peaking at 136th during 2024-2025.

Academically, Topsail High consistently outperforms both the district and state averages on End-of-Course exams. In 2025-2026, proficiency rates were 78.3% in Biology, 75.6% in English II, 57.5% in Math I, and 86.0% in Math III, compared to state averages of 58.5%, 64.6%, 42.1%, and 68.9%, respectively. The same pattern held in 2024-2025, with the school exceeding district and state in all eight subject-year combinations. The school's graduation rate was 93.9% in 2018-2019, above the current state rate of 88.8% and close to the district's 94.2%. However, chronic absenteeism is a notable concern, at 29.5% versus 24.5% for the district and 24.2% for the state. The student-teacher ratio is quite high at 29:1, and about 23.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most interesting finding is that strong academics coexist with a high chronic absenteeism rate, meaning nearly one in three students is missing enough school to be considered chronically absent. Another area worth attention is Math I, which is the clear weak spot at 57.5% proficiency; while still above the state's 42.1%, it trails far behind the school's Math III proficiency of 86.0%, suggesting that early high school math may be where students struggle most. The very high student-teacher ratio may also limit individual attention, particularly for students who fall behind. Still, Topsail High remains a large, high-performing school with a 4-star rating and top-quartile state ranking. For parents, this school offers strong overall academics and a high graduation rate, though attendance and class size are factors worth monitoring.