Topsail High

Summary:

Topsail High is a public high school located in Hampstead, North Carolina, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,777 students. The school is part of the Pender County Schools district, which is ranked 124 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Topsail High consistently ranks among the top high schools in North Carolina, ranking between 114 and 64 out of over 500 high schools in the state from 2013-2019. In the most recent school year (2023-2024), Topsail High ranked 145 out of 640 high schools in the state and received a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school has a significantly higher percentage of white students (84.07%) compared to the state average, and its students consistently outperform the Pender County Schools district and the state of North Carolina in End-of-Course (EOC) exams. Topsail High also performs exceptionally well in several student subgroups, ranking in the top 25 in North Carolina for multi-racial students and special education students, and in the top 15 for homeless students.

When comparing Topsail High to nearby schools, such as Heide Trask High and New Hanover High, which are both within a 20-mile radius, it becomes evident that Topsail High outperforms many of its counterparts in the region. This consistent high performance and exceptional results in various student subgroups suggest that Topsail High is providing a quality education to its diverse student population.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 245 St. Johns Church Road
       Hampstead, NC  28443


(910) 270-2755

District: Pender County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
145th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,065 Help


Feeder schools for Topsail High:

Elementary:    North Topsail Elementary
    South Topsail Elementary
    Topsail Annandale Elementary School
Middle:    Topsail Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  21.4 Help
Number of students:  1,888

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.3%
Hispanic:
6.9%
Two or more races:
5.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  22.8% Help


 See top rated North Carolina high schools

 Compare Topsail High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Topsail High ranks better than 77.3% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 2nd among 4 ranked high schools in the Pender County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.78. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Topsail High has the largest high school student body size in the Pender County Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (83.3%), Hispanic (6.9%), two or more races (5.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 22.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Pender County Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Topsail High is 21.4, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the Pender County Schools District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Topsail High employs 88 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Topsail High is $8,065. 2 high schools in the Pender County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Topsail High:

SchoolDigger ranks Topsail High 145th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See Topsail High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Pender County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Pender County Schools 124th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Topsail High?

Rank History for Topsail High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 83.11 15th 431 96.5%
2007 78.65 27th 453 94.0%
2008 75.02 43rd 477 91.0%
2009 72.55 50th 490 89.8%
2010 77.61 29th 499 94.2%
2011 74.17 61st 506 87.9%
2012 62.80 123rd 502 75.5%
2013 68.84 46th 505 90.9%
2014 75.36 49th 451 89.1%
2015 67.59 88th 531 83.4%
2016 70.82 70th 507 86.2%
2017 72.22 72nd 476 84.9%
2018 77.70 64th 469 86.4%
2019 65.76 114th 514 77.8%
2021 73.02 138th 594 76.8%
2022 74.23 151st 621 75.7%
2023 80.09 128th 626 79.6%
2024 76.78 145th 640 77.3%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.71 47th 185 74.6%
2019 78.81 31st 195 84.1%
2021 53.77 85th 199 57.3%
2022 76.09 39th 226 82.7%
2023 82.22 30th 249 88.0%
2024 85.25 25th 261 90.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 87.01 15th 349 95.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.91 89th 424 79.0%
2019 55.52 102nd 446 77.1%
2021 56.86 85th 432 80.3%
2022 56.41 183rd 544 66.4%
2023 71.74 132nd 597 77.9%
2024 60.96 184th 613 70.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 78.88 5th 44 88.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.35 94th 449 79.1%
2019 61.17 130th 475 72.6%
2021 72.89 72nd 475 84.8%
2022 74.19 147th 594 75.3%
2023 81.99 104th 588 82.3%
2024 77.40 147th 602 75.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.16 61st 349 82.5%
2019 46.88 158th 364 56.6%
2021 60.40 74th 334 77.8%
2022 72.21 45th 330 86.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 56.89 148th 325 54.5%
2021 62.45 137th 337 59.3%
2022 70.90 105th 398 73.6%
2023 74.45 89th 403 77.9%
2024 61.96 175th 403 56.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.08 2nd 32 93.8%
2019 80.34 5th 33 84.8%
2021 81.40 4th 41 90.2%
2022 85.75 5th 47 89.4%
2023 81.44 7th 48 85.4%
2024 85.18 7th 49 85.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.83 60th 463 87.0%
2019 67.14 99th 488 79.7%
2021 73.04 65th 481 86.5%
2022 73.85 149th 585 74.5%
2023 78.11 137th 602 77.2%
2024 75.42 149th 607 75.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.29 106th 359 70.5%
2021 49.49 117th 364 67.9%
2022 67.01 99th 430 77.0%
2023 88.16 54th 434 87.6%
2024 68.89 97th 437 77.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.60 92nd 340 72.9%
2019 54.06 97th 354 72.6%
2021 68.78 43rd 370 88.4%
2022 66.02 111th 436 74.5%
2023 73.13 93rd 449 79.3%
2024 68.86 108th 454 76.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Topsail High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.62 110th 427 74.2%
2019 51.71 182nd 444 59.0%
2021 63.79 115th 439 73.8%
2022 66.04 184th 534 65.5%
2023 72.76 145th 537 73.0%
2024 67.57 186th 553 66.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Topsail High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Topsail High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 444 112 0 0 0 n/a n/a 4 560
1989 425 121 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 546
1990 417 121 0 0 0 n/a n/a 1 539
1991 440 110 0 0 0 n/a n/a 4 554
1992 412 100 0 0 0 n/a n/a -1 511
1993 276 54 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 335
1994 288 61 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 352
1995 382 53 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1996 382 53 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1997 397 56 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1998 439 58 3 5 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1999 431 57 2 9 0 n/a n/a 0 499
2000 452 61 2 6 0 n/a n/a 0 521
2001 482 65 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 551
2002 568 71 2 3 1 n/a n/a 0 645
2003 568 71 2 3 1 n/a n/a 0 645
2004 595 61 3 5 2 n/a n/a 0 666
2005 626 77 4 9 2 n/a n/a 0 718
2006 717 77 4 14 1 n/a n/a 0 813
2007 784 78 3 13 3 n/a n/a 14 895
2008 794 80 6 20 2 n/a n/a 18 920
2009 904 110 6 18 2 n/a n/a 0 1040
2010 941 106 4 24 5 n/a n/a 0 1080
2011 913 72 3 29 6 1 28 0 1052
2012 972 69 8 36 5 2 28 0 1120
2013 1010 62 8 45 5 4 26 0 1160
2014 1027 62 9 41 7 5 24 0 1175
2015 1116 60 11 35 7 3 23 0 1255
2016 1139 59 8 46 7 2 33 0 1294
2017 1208 55 11 85 7 1 28 0 1395
2018 1276 52 14 86 5 1 42 0 1476
2019 1264 50 10 91 5 1 53 0 1474
2020 1273 51 13 104 5 2 53 0 1501
2021 1290 39 16 101 3 0 63 0 1512
2022 1309 38 17 118 2 0 63 0 1547
2023 1494 49 17 130 2 1 84 0 1777
2024 1572 52 19 131 5 3 106 0 1888

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Topsail High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 560 34.0 16.4 11.3
1989 546 34.0 16.0 76.9
1990 539 35.0 15.4 52.3
1991 554 37.0 14.9 50.9
1992 511 40.0 12.7 10.4
1993 335 25.0 13.4 22.7
1994 352 26.0 13.5 8.5
1995 439 31.0 14.2 23
1996 439 31.0 14.2 23
1997 459 28.0 16.4 25.9
1998 505 34.0 14.9 28.1
1999 499 34.0 14.7 43.1
2000 521 34.0 15.3 16.3
2001 551 43.0 12.8 17.6
2002 645 40.0 16.1 20.8
2003 645 40.0 16.1 20.8
2004 666 42.0 15.9 18.2
2005 718 42.0 17.1 18.1
2006 813 42.0 19.4 15.5
2007 895 48.5 18.5 19.1
2008 920 53.8 17.1 21.2
2009 1040 59.4 17.5 23.8
2010 1080 58.4 18.4 24.4
2011 1052 58.0 18.1 29.5
2012 1120 58.4 19.1 30.7
2013 1160 61.0 18.9 30.9
2014 1175 61.0 19.2 25.3
2015 1255 66.0 19.0 22.3
2016 1294 72.0 17.9 25.4
2017 1395 72.5 19.2 23.9
2018 1476 74.5 19.8 17.9
2019 1474 75.0 19.6 27.4
2020 1501 75.4 19.9 17.5
2021 1512 71.8 21.0 14.9
2022 1547 76.5 20.2 14.4
2023 1777 82.5 21.5 21.8
2024 1888 88.0 21.4 22.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Topsail High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 560 34.0 16.4 11.3
1989 546 34.0 16.0 76.9
1990 539 35.0 15.4 52.3
1991 554 37.0 14.9 50.9
1992 511 40.0 12.7 10.4
1993 335 25.0 13.4 22.7
1994 352 26.0 13.5 8.5
1995 439 31.0 14.2 23
1996 439 31.0 14.2 23
1997 459 28.0 16.4 25.9
1998 505 34.0 14.9 28.1
1999 499 34.0 14.7 43.1
2000 521 34.0 15.3 16.3
2001 551 43.0 12.8 17.6
2002 645 40.0 16.1 20.8
2003 645 40.0 16.1 20.8
2004 666 42.0 15.9 18.2
2005 718 42.0 17.1 18.1
2006 813 42.0 19.4 15.5
2007 895 48.5 18.5 19.1
2008 920 53.8 17.1 21.2
2009 1040 59.4 17.5 23.8
2010 1080 58.4 18.4 24.4
2011 1052 58.0 18.1 29.5
2012 1120 58.4 19.1 30.7
2013 1160 61.0 18.9 30.9
2014 1175 61.0 19.2 25.3
2015 1255 66.0 19.0 22.3
2016 1294 72.0 17.9 25.4
2017 1395 72.5 19.2 23.9
2018 1476 74.5 19.8 17.9
2019 1474 75.0 19.6 27.4
2020 1501 75.4 19.9 17.5
2021 1512 71.8 21.0 14.9
2022 1547 76.5 20.2 14.4
2023 1777 82.5 21.5 21.8
2024 1888 88.0 21.4 22.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Topsail High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $589 (7.3%) $7,476 (92.7%) $8,065

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Topsail High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 114th of 514 High schoolsRanks 128th of 626 High schools
 1.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (Topsail High)67.487.5
 20.1%
   End of Course Biology (Pender County Schools)5862.3
 4.3%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Topsail High)71.375.2
 3.9%
   End of Course English II (Pender County Schools)6163.5
 2.5%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (Topsail High)56.464.1
 7.7%
   End of Course Math I (Pender County Schools)51.749.8
 1.9%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (Topsail High)54.176.9
 22.8%
   End of Course Math III (Pender County Schools)48.256.3
 8.1%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students14741777
 20.6%
African American5049
 2%
American Indian52
 60%
Asian1017
 70%
Hispanic91130
 42.9%
Pacific Islander11
White12641494
 18.2%
Two or More Races5384
 58.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients27.4%21.8%
 5.6%


Schools Near Topsail High









Frequently Asked Questions about Topsail High

Topsail High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : North Topsail Elementary
Elementary : South Topsail Elementary
Elementary : Topsail Annandale Elementary School
Middle : Topsail Middle

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,888 students attended Topsail High.

Students at Topsail High are 83% White, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 3% African American, 1% Asian.

Topsail High ranks 145th of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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