Friends School Of Wilmington Photo

Best New Hanover County Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 private preschools serving 3,975 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top-ranked private preschools in New Hanover County, NC include Wilmington Christian Academy, Cape Fear Academy, and Peace Rose Montessori School.
The average acceptance rate is 74%, which is lower than the North Carolina private preschool average acceptance rate of 81%.
85% of private preschools in New Hanover County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Baptist and Christian).

Top-Ranked New Hanover County Private Preschools (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 | 820 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 38 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Myrtle Grove Christian School
(Christian)
806 Piner Rd
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 392-2067
Gr: PK-8 | 477 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 Christian Academy
Wilmington Christian Academy Photo
(Baptist)
(1)
1401 N College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 791-4248
Gr: NS-12 | 1,129 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition listed
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 | 69 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 2 | 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
Noah's Ark Children's Center
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
1501 Beasley Rd
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 395-0059
Gr: PK-K | 94 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
[+] 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
13 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
3,975 Students
97,544 Students
% Average Students of Color
9%
23%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
352 Teachers
9,147 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
47%
46%
Average Class Size
17 students
16 students
Average Number of AP Courses
12 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1254
(Out of 1600)
1207
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
25

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,426
$11,949
Average Summer Program Cost
$380
$415
Average % on Financial Aid
18%
28%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,634
$4,836
Average Acceptance Rate
74%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.53
0.59
# American Indian Students
1 Student
412 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
33 Students
2,681 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
45 Students
3,227 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
3%
# Black Students
57 Students
5,754 Students
% Black Students
2%
6%
# White Students
2,174 Students
53,176 Students
% White Students
55%
55%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
421 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,616 Students
30,406 Students
% of Others Students
41%
32%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top-ranked private preschools in New Hanover County, NC include Wilmington Christian Academy, Cape Fear Academy, and Peace Rose Montessori School.
How many private preschools are located in New Hanover County?
13 private preschools are located in New Hanover County.
How diverse are private preschools in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County private preschools are approximately 9% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 23%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in New Hanover County?
85% of private preschools in New Hanover County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Baptist and Christian).
Which private preschools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private preschools in New Hanover County include: St. James Day School vs. St. Mary Catholic School

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