Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

New Hanover County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
42
Schools
25,244
Students
$14,481
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
60.4%
Free Lunch Rate
+8pp vs nat'l
87.4%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

New Hanover County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 25,244 students across 42 schools. It includes 26 elementary, 7 middle, 9 high schools. Its graduation rate of 87.4% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $14,481 is near the national average for a US public school district. 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 47/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (42)
Elementary Schools26 schools
Middle Schools7 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Charles P Murray Middle06–08882
Emma B Trask Middle06–08673
Holly Shelter Middle06–08858
M C S Noble Middle06–08652
Myrtle Grove Middle06–08645
Roland-Grise Middle06–08860
Williston Middle06–08683
High Schools9 schools
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$14,481Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
52%
29%
State
51.7%
Local (property tax)
29.4%
Federal
18.8%

Funding is shared between state (52%) and local sources (29%), with notable federal support (19%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
42
Schools
25,244
Students
60%
Free Lunch
$14K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate87.4%
Opportunity Score47/100
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 42 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in New Hanover County Schools?
New Hanover County Schools has 42 public schools, serving a total of 25,244 students.
What is the graduation rate for New Hanover County Schools?
The graduation rate is 87.4%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does New Hanover County Schools spend per student?
New Hanover County Schools spends $14,481 per pupil — 1% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in New Hanover County Schools?
60% of students in New Hanover County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in New Hanover County Schools?
No, New Hanover County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does New Hanover County Schools serve?
New Hanover County Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for New Hanover County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in New Hanover County Schools is 47/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.