For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 1,764 students in Wilmington, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Wilmington, NC are Murrayville Elementary School, John J Blair Elementary School and Wrightsboro Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wilmington, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Wilmington have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Preschools in Wilmington, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Murrayville Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
225 Mabee Way
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 790-5067
Grades: PK-5
| 576 students
Rank: #22.
John J Blair Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6510 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2045
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2045
Grades: PK-5
| 455 students
Rank: #33.
Wrightsboro Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2716 Castle Hayne Rd
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6909
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 815-6909
Grades: PK-5
| 470 students
Rank: #44.
R Freeman Sch Of Engineering
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6011
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6011
Grades: PK-5
| 263 students
Rank: n/an/a
4905 South College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-7860
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 350-7860
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Wilmington, North Carolina ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Grades: 6-8
| 206 students
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1100 Mcrae St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Grades: K-5
| 130 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Wilmington, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Wilmington, NC include Murrayville Elementary School, John J Blair Elementary School and Wrightsboro Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Wilmington?
5 public preschools are located in Wilmington.
What is the racial composition of students in Wilmington?
Wilmington public preschools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Wilmington are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Wilmington include: Murrayville Elementary School vs. Wrightsboro Elementary School, College Road Early Childhood Center vs. R Freeman Sch Of Engineering
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.