SEA-Tech

SEA-Tech operates as a tiny senior high in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, one of the schools within New Hanover County Schools. Current enrollment sits at 227 students spanning grades 9 through 13. That puts it 70% smaller than the typical public school in North Carolina, which averages around 761 students.

New Hanover County Schools runs 42 schools in total, collectively educating 24,791 students. SEA-Tech is one of those campuses.

For racial and ethnic makeup, SEA-Tech lists that White students make up the majority at 63%. Other groups include 17% Hispanic, 11% Black, 6% multiracial, 2% Asian. The wider county runs roughly 77% White, putting the school's mix meaningfully less White than the area baseline.

In terms of school funding signals, The school reports having 17 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 13.7:1. The state averages around 19.6:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. An estimated 99% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. That share is noticeably above New Hanover County's rate of about 67%.

With demographic context factored in, SEA-Tech sits in the top 10% of North Carolina schools after the BeatsExpectations adjustment. Predicted proficiency for the school's FRL share is roughly 48.7%; actual is 81.3%, +32.6 points clear of the demographic baseline.

In the broader community, ACS estimates for New Hanover County put median household earnings sit near $75,166, about 45% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. In all, New Hanover County runs 50 public schools (combined enrollment of about 27,460 students), of which SEA-Tech is one.

The closest other public school is Wilmington Early College High, roughly 0.9 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts SEA-Tech at 1st of 9; the average score across the group is 60.6%.

SEA-Tech operates from a small-town location.

Five-year trend. SEA-Tech's enrollment has rose 416% since 2018, when it stood at 44 (now 227). The Hispanic share of enrollment grew from 9% to 17% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio widened from 7.7:1 in 2018 to 13.7:1 today.

On this page, the feed for SEA-Tech typically covers school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.