With numerous higher education options, it is only natural that the area has excellent preparatory education as well. The New Hanover County School System serves more than 24,000 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students in 42 schools in the city of Wilmington and the county, including the beach communities of Figure Eight Island, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The county student population is approximately 36 percent minority enrollment. Through the ABCs of Public Education, end-of-grade tests measure student achievement in reading and math for grades 3 through 8. High school students take end-of-course tests in 10 subjects. In school year 2006-07, New Hanover County Schools had five Honor Schools of Excellence, which means 90 percent or more of students at grade level met or exceeded growth and also met the federal standard of Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind act; one School of Excellence (90 percent or more of students are grade level, met or exceeded growth) nine Schools of Distinction (80 percent or more of students at grade level, met or exceeded growth) and nine Schools of Progress (60 percent or more of students at grade level, met or exceeded growth). Combined SAT scores were 1025, compared to 1010 for the state and 1028 nationally, which puts New Hanover County schools above the state scores and in line with the national average. The system has had the benefit of tremendous support from the business community and community volunteers who contribute in many different ways, including tutoring, working to lower the dropout rate and offering opportunities for students to gain exposure to the corporate realm beyond the classroom. The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, a community education support organization, provides an estimated $10,000 annually to fund mini-grants to support classroom teachers. Other businesses in the area have shown tremendous support for the school system, including a large grant initiative with the GE Foundation and significant volunteer support from GE staff. Most recent figures are for the 2008-09 school year, which showed the New Hanover County Schools’ operating budget was $216 million, with approximately 52 percent coming from the state, 34 percent from local monies, 5 percent from the federal government and 9 percent from other sources. Per-pupil expenditure is $8,563. The system is organized as kindergarten through grade 5, grades 6 through 8, and grades 9 through 12, using the middle school concept instead of junior high schools. New Hanover County Schools have three pre-kindergarten centers, which are a part of Governor Easley’s More at Four program. The school year runs from August until early June, although year-round schooling is now available at Johnson Elementary, Codington Elementary and Eaton Elementary schools. The year-round program is voluntary for students and teachers. After considerable investigation, the Board of Education found that the advantages of year-round schooling include increased learning, a reduction in stress levels for both students and teachers, greater opportunity for effective enrichment and remediation, and higher motivation. New Hanover County Schools offers two early college high schools, Isaac Bear Early College High School in partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Wilmington Early College High School in partnership with Cape Fear Community College. While attending the early college high schools, students have the opportunity to gain college credit hours or work toward completing an associate’s degree in art or science. Three elementary magnet schools, Gregory School of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, and Snipes Academy of Art and Design, offer students curriculum with specific areas of study integrated throughout all grade levels and subject areas. There are four senior high schools in New Hanover County, and seven middle schools that feed into these according to district lines. Mosley Performance Learning Center is an academic alternative/school-of-choice for students in grades 10 through 12 who qualify for admittance. More than 250 courses are available to high school students, including social studies, mathematics, computer science, English, foreign languages and the full range of sciences. Students can participate in Army, Navy and Air Force JROTC Honor units as well as a broad range of extracurricular activities and programs. There are many programs in vocational education, including marine sciences and oceanography. A cultural arts curriculum includes band, orchestra, chorus, drama, art and dance. Middle schools offer a similar, though more limited, curriculum to that of the senior high schools. Elementary schools emphasize hands-on experience in all disciplines. Elementary school students participate in a curriculum based on the use of manipulatives and inquiry to build a foundation that will support the learning of concepts in the middle grades and high school. A comprehensive program has been designed for exceptional children at all grade levels. Basketball and football figure largely in interscholastic athletic programs, and volleyball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, golf, tennis, lacrosse and track are also offered. What else would you expect from the sports-minded city that produced such athletes as Michael Jordan, Meadowlark Lemon and Roman Gabriel on its public school courts and fields?

The Brunswick County School System has earned District Accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). One area which spotlights the school district nationally is the success of the SRA Direct Instruction Program in several of its elementary schools. The Brunswick County School System strives to meet the diverse challenges of a growing student population of more than 12,000 from pre-K through grade 12. The system employs 791 teachers and 1,135 support staff to operate its 18 schools. There are three traditional high schools, three traditional middle schools, eight traditional elementary schools, one K-8 school, one 6-12 alternative school, one grade 8 transition school, and one nontraditional high school.

The alternative school, Brunswick County Academy, provides an extensive support systems for students in grades 6 through 12 who have not been successful in the traditional school environment. The Middle School Transition School, new in the 2008–09 school year, is housed in the same building as the Brunswick County Academy and offers eighth graders who have not been academically successful a structured program of mastery and readiness. In its third year of operation, the Brunswick County Early College High School, now comprised of grades 9 to 11, is housed entirely at Brunswick Community College and allows students to graduate not only with an accredited high-school diploma but also with either an associate’s degree or two years of transferable college credits. The Center for Advanced Studies program is in a partnership with Brunswick Community College. This program encourages and offers more advanced courses in all areas of the curriculum, including vocational course work and advanced placement programs. It allows juniors and seniors to obtain credit toward trade occupations. These last two school programs have been established to expose students to college life and make them more aware of higher education options.

Various instructional programs and the trend in test scores demonstrate the commitment of the school system to continuous improvement. These programs challenge students academically while promoting creativity and flexibility from pre-K through grade 12. In addition to the basic academic program, the school system offers a comprehensive program of instructional services for both exceptional children and those who are learning English as a Secondary Language. This program offers career technical education, remediation, an enhanced program for the gifted learner, a fine arts program and many extracurricular opportunities, as well as an athletic program. In order to continue to meet student needs, the school district has initiated a ten-year facility study, which includes construction of new schools and renovations and additions to present school sites. Two new schools, Town Creek Elementary School and Cedar Grove Middle School, are scheduled to open in the 2009–10 school year.

An important part of the overall school family comes from strong community support. The Communities in Schools Program coordinates more than 1,200 school volunteers from the retirement sector, local businesses and church fellowships. School and district partners are invaluable by providing needed time, talent and resources. The Brunswick County School System reaches out to the entire school community to encourage everyone to become involved with its schools and the success of its students.

Pender County Public Schools provide a first-class education for more than 8,000 students. Schools are located in both suburban and rural communities, and serve students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. There are seven elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools and one alternative learning center. Each school day 1,200 employees work together to provide an environment that capitalizes on all children's natural curiosity, nurtures their desire to learn, and respects their individual learning style. Pender County Schools' progressive leadership, dedicated professionals and commitment to excellence are consistently reflected in their high-test scores. Pender County varies greatly from one side of the county to the other. While the western section remains largely rural, the coastal side of the county has experienced explosive growth, which has resulted in a 42 percent increase in population. To accommodate this growing population, the Pender County Board of Education built a new high school in Hampstead. The 224,727-square-foot Topsail High School, which opened in January 2009, accommodates 1,400 students. The facility includes two gymnasiums, a theater/auditorium wing, and a separate shop building for wood, metal and automotive classes. In an effort to reduce dropout rates, Topsail High School has implemented a Freshman Academy as part of the Small Learning Community initiative. Freshmen have core classes exclusively with other freshmen, and most teachers in the academy only teach freshmen. Renovations to turn the old high school building into a new building for Topsail Middle School will begin this year. Pender County Schools has received a multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education for more than $5.7 million to implement programs that combat drugs, violence and other unhealthy behaviors among students. The Safe Schools, Healthy Students grant will assist the district's efforts to provide prevention and intervention services for students. Additionally, the grant will provide after-school programs for middle school students; drama, recreation, and arts programming; after-school transportation for program participants; mental health services; parent workshops; and Rural Entrepreneurship classes for high school students. Partner agencies include the Pender County Sheriff's Department, Communities in Schools of the Cape Fear, Dreams of Wilmington, Coastal Horizons and N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice.

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (CFCI) is a public K-8, innovative ''school of choice'' that does not discriminate in its admission procedures nor charge for enrollment. As a state-funded charter school, CFCI's mission is to promote students' abilities to think and create in personally meaningful ways through an inquiry-based, integrated curriculum in an encouraging, supportive environment. Experienced, licensed teachers strive to ensure that every child develops knowledge in the traditional content areas. Because CFCI considers the teacher/child relationship to be of paramount importance, class sizes are small. Teachers for the elementary grades (K-5) stay with their classes for two school years (looping), and grades 6 through 8 are ability-grouped for math and language arts. Emphasis is on individualized instruction, utilizing each child's strengths. Parents must attend a Parent Education meeting (beginning in January of every year) to receive an application. A lottery of all those children who applied is held in March. The school teaches the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, complies with the North Carolina ABC's Accountability Program requirements and administers all required state tests.

Serving the counties of Brunswick, New Hanover, Bladen, Columbus and Pender, Charter Day School offers a Direct Instruction curriculum that includes reading with phonics instruction as well as particular attention to penmanship, spelling, grammar and style. More than just the mechanics of education, CDS utilizes numerous classical sources in its mathematics, science, music and art classes. Students find themselves intellectually stimulated and well versed in the aesthetic and moral traditions of western civilization.

CDS received its charter in 2000, at that time enrolling 53 students in grades K through 2. In 2005 CDS was designated an Honor School of Excellence by the State Board of Education and is among the top 25 K through 8 schools in the state for exemplary academic growth. In the 2008–09 school year they served 747 students in grades K through 8. Charter Day School is a public, tuition-free charter school open to all North Carolina children. An independent Board of Trustees oversees the school's management by The Roger Bacon Academy. Each student is expected to embody the four classical qualities of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance and to practice the virtues of faith, hope and charity. Members of the school community are accountable for ensuring their actions comply with these principles. As a result, CDS students develop the necessary skills to become valuable members of society and leaders in their communities.