Cape Fear Academy Photo

Best New Hanover County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 private schools serving 4,834 students in New Hanover County, NC (there are 51 public schools, serving 27,453 public students). 15% of all K-12 students in New Hanover County, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The top-ranked private schools in New Hanover County, NC include St. Mary Catholic School, Cape Fear Academy, and Coastal Christian High School.
The average tuition cost is $10,530, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average tuition cost of $13,172.
67% of private schools in New Hanover County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Baptist).

Top-Ranked New Hanover County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Cape Fear Academy
Cape Fear Academy Photo
(6)
3900 S College Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 791-0287
Gr: NS-12 | 800 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Coastal Christian High School
(Christian)
1150 The King's Highway
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 395-9995
Gr: 9-12 | 295 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
Myrtle Grove Christian School
(Christian)
806 Piner Rd
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 392-2067
Gr: PK-8 | 434 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Peace Rose Montessori School
Montessori School
2173 Wrightsville Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 769-2812
Gr: PK-8 | 94 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. James Day School
Daycare / Preschool (Episcopal)
25 S 3rd St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 762-7537
Gr: PK-K | 101 students
St. Mark Catholic School
(Catholic)
1013 Eastwood Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 452-2800
Gr: PK-8 | 522 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 9 Tuition listed
St. Mary Catholic School
(Catholic)
(1)
217 South 4th St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 762-5491
Gr: PK-8 | 167 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
Wilmington Academy Of Arts & Sciences
Wilmington Academy Of Arts & Sciences Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
6201 Myrtle Grove Rd
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 392-3139
Gr: 4-8 | 84 students Avg. class size: 20 students Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Wilmington Christian Academy
Wilmington Christian Academy Photo
(Baptist)
(1)
1401 N College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 791-4248
Gr: NS-12 | 1,129 student Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition listed
Wilmington Sda School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
2833 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 762-4224
Gr: 1-8 | 13 students
Winter Park Baptist Preschool & Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
4700 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 799-2029
Gr: NS-PK | 140 students Avg. class size: 10 students
Calvary Christian School
(Baptist)
(1)
423 N. 23rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 343-1565
Gr: PK-12 | 107 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Children's Schoolhouse Montessori Preschool Of Wilmington
The Children's Schoolhouse Montessori Preschool Of Wilmington Photo
Montessori School (Christian)
612 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 799-1531
Gr: NS | 55 students Avg. class size: 18 students Tuition listed
Friends School Of Wilmington
Friends School Of Wilmington Photo
(Friends)
5814 Camellia Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 792-1811
Gr: PK-8 | 171 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hill School Of Wilmington
Special Education School
3333 Jaeckle Drive, Suite 140
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 685-3734
Gr: 1-8 | 51 students Tuition listed
Joshua Academy
(Christian)
4704 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 208-2960
Gr: K-8 | 36 students
3705 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 392-5209
Gr: K-5 | 108 students Avg. class size: 18 students Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Noah's Ark Children's Center
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
1501 Beasley Rd
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 395-0059
Gr: PK-K | 94 students
3110 Randall Pkwy 1
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 343-3321
Gr: 5-12 | 33 students
Pine Valley UMC Wee Care Preschool & Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
3788 Shipyard Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 791-9824
Gr: NS-K | 136 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Providence Preparatory Academy
Providence Preparatory Academy Photo
Special Program Emphasis (Christian)
(2)
702 Eastwood Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 742-0712
Gr: K-12 | 143 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
Southeastern Autism Academy
Special Education School
3114 Randall Pkwy Suite 4
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 769-4586
Gr: K-12 | 29 students
3719 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 777-7564
Gr: 6-12 | 78 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in New Hanover County, North Carolina

New Hanover County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
4915 Oriole Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 392-7007
Gr: PK-6 | 112 students
King's Memorial Christian Academy (Closed 2000)
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
1380 N College Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 799-8157
Gr: NS-K | 55 students
1306 Floyal Parkway
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 791-6217
Gr: PK-K | 9 students
Yahweh Center School (Closed 2025)
Special Education School (Christian)
Po Box 10399
Wilmington, NC 28404
(910) 675-3533
Gr: PK | 5 students

Overview

This County (New Hanover County)
This State (NC)
# Schools
24 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
4,834 Students
136,532 Students
% Average Students of Color
9%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
483 Teachers
13,573 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
47%
47%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1269
(Out of 1600)
1210
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$10,530
$13,172
Average Summer Program Cost
$1,490
$758
Average % on Financial Aid
18%
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$7,351
$5,553
Average Acceptance Rate
75%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.51
0.58
# American Indian Students
1 Student
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
50 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
89 Students
5,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
4%
# Black Students
76 Students
9,651 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
2,842 Students
79,836 Students
% White Students
61%
60%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,597 Students
33,802 Students
% of Others Students
34%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top-ranked private schools in New Hanover County, NC include St. Mary Catholic School, Cape Fear Academy, and Coastal Christian High School.
How many private schools are located in New Hanover County?
23 private schools are located in New Hanover County.
How much do private schools cost in New Hanover County?
The average tuition cost is $10,530, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average tuition cost of $13,172.
How diverse are private schools in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County private schools are approximately 9% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in New Hanover County go to private school?
15% of all K-12 students in New Hanover County are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in New Hanover County?
67% of private schools in New Hanover County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Baptist).
Which private schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?

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