For the 2025-26 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 2,260 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in New Hanover County, NC are Castle Hayne Elementary School, Murrayville Elementary School and John J Blair Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in New Hanover County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Castle Hayne Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3925 Roger Haynes Drive
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 602-4970
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 602-4970
Gr: PK-5 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22.
Murrayville Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
225 Mabee Way
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
John J Blair Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6510 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2045
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2045
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Wrightsboro Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2716 Castle Hayne Rd
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6909
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6909
Gr: PK-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #55.
R Freeman Sch Of Engineering
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6011
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6011
Gr: PK-5 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
4905 South College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-7860
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-7860
Gr: PK
New Hanover County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Gr: 6-8 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
1100 Mcrae St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Gr: K-5 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
3830 Juvenile Center Rd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in New Hanover County, NC include Castle Hayne Elementary School, Murrayville Elementary School and John J Blair Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in New Hanover County?
6 public preschools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public preschools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in New Hanover County include: Murrayville Elementary School vs. Wrightsboro Elementary School, College Road Early Childhood Center vs. R Freeman Sch Of Engineering
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