News Summary
Wilmington and its neighboring areas have been recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report high school rankings. Among more than 24,000 schools assessed, North Carolina ranked 28th nationally, with significant representation in the top 10%. The rankings reflect various performance parameters, showcasing the diverse educational landscape of the Wilmington region and highlighting opportunities for growth in student success and academic performance. Key factors include college readiness, graduation rates, and proficiency in state assessments.
Wilmington, North Carolina, Sees High School Rankings in 2025 U.S. News & World Report List
Wilmington and surrounding areas have recently been included in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report high school rankings, highlighting a diverse range of performance across North Carolina high schools. The rankings evaluate schools based on several key parameters, providing a comprehensive overview of educational outcomes in the region.
Overview of the National and State Rankings
More than 24,000 high schools across the United States were assessed in this ranking process. Out of these, 587 schools in North Carolina earned recognition, with the state securing the No. 28 position nationally among all states. Additionally, 51 North Carolina high schools made it into the top 10% nationwide, demonstrating a strong performance for the state.
The highest-ranked school in North Carolina is The Early College at Guilford in Greensboro, holding the No. 31 spot among all high schools nationally. The top school in the country is Basis Tucson North in Tucson, Arizona, which secured the top national ranking.
Performance Parameters and Methodology
The rankings are based on several important factors, which include:
- College readiness
- Proficiency on state assessments
- Performance in state assessments
- Achievement among underserved students
- Breadth of college-level curriculum offered
- High school graduation rates
These parameters combine to create a detailed picture of each school’s academic performance and student success.
Scores and Rankings in Wilmington-Area Schools
Within the Wilmington area, public high schools from Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties exhibited a wide range of rankings. Here are some notable examples, listed with their respective state and national rankings, overall scores, graduation rates, enrollment numbers, and student-teacher ratios:
Top Performing Schools
- School A:
- State ranking: No. 85
- National ranking: No. 3,144
- Overall score: 82.44
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 1,888
- Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
- School B:
- State ranking: No. 89
- National ranking: No. 3,320
- Overall score: 81.45
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Enrollment: 2,178
- Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
- School C:
- State ranking: No. 115
- National ranking: No. 4,180
- Overall score: 76.65
- Graduation rate: Greater than 95%
- Enrollment: 188
- Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Additional Schools and Their Standings
- School D: State No. 117, National No. 4,194, Score 76.57, Graduation >95%, Enrollment 251, Ratio 26:1
- School E: State No. 122, National No. 4,194, Score 75.6, Graduation >95%, Enrollment 241, Ratio 23:1
- School F: State No. 136, National No. 4,752, Score 73.45, Graduation >95%, Enrollment 322, Ratio 28:1
- School G: State No. 182, National No. 6,056, Score 66.17, Graduation 88%, Enrollment 1,899, Ratio 19:1
- School H: State No. 234, National No. 7,311, Score 59.16, Graduation 82%, Enrollment 1,512, Ratio 17:1
- School I: State No. 235, National No. 7,337, Score 59.01, Graduation 84%, Enrollment 1,182, Ratio 17:1
- School J: State No. 280, National No. 8,245, Score 53.94, Graduation 92%, Enrollment 2,248, Ratio 20:1
- School K: State No. 298, National No. 8,549, Score 52.24, Graduation >95%, Enrollment 228, Ratio 17:1
- School L: State No. 319, National No. 9,081, Score 49.27, Graduation 81%, Enrollment 1,560, Ratio 18:1
- School M: State No. 324, National No. 9,152, Score 48.87, Graduation 80%, Enrollment 1,515, Ratio 16:1
- School N: State No. 404, National No. 11,746, Score 34.38, Graduation 91%, Enrollment 734, Ratio 16:1
- School O: Tied with the lowest rankings, score less than 25, Graduation 92%, Enrollment 672, Ratio 19:1
Implications of the Rankings
The rankings shed light on the educational landscape in the Wilmington region, illustrating areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Schools scoring higher tend to show higher graduation rates, broader college curricula, and better assessment performances, which can influence community and policy decisions in future educational planning.
Overall, the data provides an important snapshot of how high schools in the Wilmington area compare both statewide and nationally, with a clear range of performance levels across different institutions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Decline in High School Student Performance Continues
Teenagers Arrested in UMass Intern’s Fatal Shooting
Construction Sector Faces Multiple Challenges Amid Evolving Industry Dynamics
D.C. High School Football Season Kicks Off with Preseason Rankings
D.C. Schools Roll Out Safety Measures Amid Enforcement Surge
Washington D.C. Welcomes Pleasant Weather This Week
Kyrene School District Plans to Close Nine Schools
School District Cancels Classes Due to Bus Driver Shortage
Washington High School Football Rankings Released
Bus Driver Shortage Disrupts School Transportation in Cumberland and Susquehanna
Additional Resources
- Star News Online
- Wikipedia: Wilmington, North Carolina
- NC News Online
- Google Search: North Carolina high schools ranking
- Delaware Online
- Google Scholar: High school rankings
- Boston Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High school education
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
