New Hanover County Schools Reports Strong Academic Gains and Continued Progress in 2026
WILMINGTON, N.C. — New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) is celebrating significant academic gains in 2026, including double-digit increases in Math 1 and Biology proficiency, continued strong performance in grades 3–8, and achievement above the North Carolina average across 17 of 18 summative assessments.
The results reflect the district’s continued focus on targeted improvement strategies established following the 2024–2025 accountability results. At that time, NHCS identified three key priorities: High School Math 1, graduation rate, and third-grade reading. The district implemented focused strategies and initiatives designed to address these areas while continuing to strengthen instruction and student support across all grade levels.
“We are proud of the progress our students and educators have made this year, particularly in areas we identified as priorities following last year’s results,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher R. Barnes. “The gains in Math 1 and Biology demonstrate what can happen when we establish clear goals, focus our resources, use data to identify student needs, and support our educators with strategies designed to move student achievement forward. At the same time, we know there is more work to do. We will celebrate the progress, own the challenges, and continue working to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Targeted Priorities Showing Significant Progress
High School Math 1 was identified as a district priority with a goal of reaching 40% proficiency by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. In 2026, Math 1 proficiency increased from 32.4% to 47.1%, a gain of 14.7 percentage points. NHCS also improved its statewide Math 1 ranking from 65th to 33rd, an improvement of 32 positions.
The district’s focus on Math 1 included establishing a clear proficiency target, monitoring student performance, identifying areas of instructional need, and maintaining sustained attention to high school mathematics.
Biology, another area of high school achievement, also experienced a substantial increase. Proficiency rose from 44.3% to 59.7%, a gain of 15.4 percentage points. NHCS improved from 52nd to 36th statewide in Biology.
While these results represent significant progress, the district will continue to strengthen high school mathematics and science instruction and work to sustain the momentum achieved this year.
Graduation Rate Continues to Improve
NHCS established a goal of increasing its four-year graduation rate by 2% annually. The district’s 2026 graduation rate increased to 89.4%, exceeding the statewide rate of 88.8%. The district improved its statewide ranking from 62nd to 56th, marking its highest graduation rate in 10 years.
NHCS also improved its statewide ranking from 62nd to 56th.
The district’s Students with Disabilities cohort graduation rate increased to 75.1%, a 3.5-point increase from 2025 and an 8.4-point increase over the past 10 years.
While graduation remains an important area for continued growth, the district will build on this progress through continued monitoring, student support, early identification of students at risk of not graduating, and efforts to ensure students remain connected to their pathway toward graduation and postsecondary success.
Continued Focus on Early Literacy
Third-grade reading was also identified as a strategic priority, with a district goal of reaching 58% proficiency by the end of the 2026–2027 school year.
In 2026, NHCS students in grades 3–8 demonstrated strong overall reading performance, with 58.5% proficiency, compared with 55.1% statewide. NHCS ranked first among surrounding districts in Reading 3–8 and fourth among the district’s Big 12 comparison group.
The district will continue its focus on early literacy and third-grade reading while using data to identify students who need additional support and ensuring instructional strategies are aligned to student needs.
NHCS Continues to Outperform the State
The 2026 results demonstrate broad-based achievement across the district. NHCS exceeded the North Carolina average in all core accountability measures included in the district’s comparison.
Among the largest advantages over the state were:
- ACT: 61.3 compared with 54.5 statewide — a 6.8-point advantage
- Math 3–8: 65.6 compared with 59.6 — a 6.0-point advantage
- Math 1: 47.1 compared with 42.1 — a 5.0-point advantage
- All EOG Subjects: 63.2 compared with 59.1 — a 4.1-point advantage
- English 2: 68.1 compared with 64.3 — a 3.8-point advantage
- All EOG/EOC Subjects: 62.9 compared with 59.2 — a 3.7-point advantage
- Reading 3–8: 58.5 compared with 55.1 — a 3.4-point advantage
NHCS also ranked first among surrounding districts in All EOG/EOC Subjects Combined, All EOG Subjects, Reading 3–8, Math 3–8, ACT, English 2, and EL Progress.
The district ranked second among surrounding districts in Math 1 and third in All EOC Subjects, Biology, Science 5 & 8, and WorkKeys.
Strong Performance Among Larger Districts
NHCS also remains highly competitive when compared with the larger districts included in its Big 12 comparison group.
The district ranked in the top four in multiple measures, including:
- Third in ACT
- Fourth in All EOG/EOC Subjects
- Fourth in All EOG Subjects
- Fourth in All EOC Subjects
- Fourth in Math 1
- Fourth in Reading 3–8
- Fourth in Math 3–8
- Fourth in Biology
- Fourth in English 2
These results demonstrate that NHCS’ academic performance remains strong not only compared with the state average and surrounding districts, but also when compared with larger districts across North Carolina.
College and Career Readiness
College and career readiness continues to be an area of strength. NHCS recorded an ACT proficiency score of 61.3, compared with 54.5 statewide, ranking 15th in North Carolina.
Progress With English Learners
NHCS exceeded the statewide rate on the ACCESS test, with 36.9% of English Learners meeting progress expectations or exiting the program, compared to 35.8% statewide. The district ranked first among its surrounding districts in this measure.
The district will continue to focus on ensuring multilingual learners receive the instructional support necessary to make consistent annual progress toward proficiency and academic success.
Continued Areas of Focus
While the 2026 results provide significant reasons to celebrate, NHCS recognizes that improvement is ongoing.
The district will continue to focus on:
- Sustaining and building upon the significant gains in Math 1 and Biology.
- Continuing progress toward the district’s graduation-rate goal.
- Advancing third-grade reading proficiency toward the 58% strategic target.
- Strengthening performance in NC Math 3.
- Using data to direct instructional support and resources where they can have the greatest impact.
The district also recognizes that statewide rankings must be viewed in context. A change in ranking does not necessarily mean student performance declined; rankings can shift when other districts improve at different rates. NHCS will continue to prioritize actual student achievement, growth, graduation, and college and career readiness over rankings alone.
Moving Forward
The 2026 results provide evidence that the district’s decision to establish clear priorities and focus resources and instructional efforts on identified areas is moving students in the right direction.
“Our work is not simply about moving up a ranking; it is about preparing every student for what comes next,” Barnes said. “Our goal is for every graduate to have a clear path forward, whether that means enlisting in the military, enrolling in higher education, or entering employment. The progress we are seeing in student achievement is encouraging, but our ultimate measure of success is whether our students graduate prepared and confident to take that next step. We will continue to be intentional about where we focus, transparent about where we need to improve, and committed to getting 1% Better Every Day.”
NHCS will use the 2026 results to inform instructional planning, resource allocation, school improvement efforts, and continued implementation of the district’s strategic plan throughout the 2026–2027 school year.