There are four senior high schools in New Hanover County, and the middle schools that feed into these operate according to district lines, which are available for inspection at the school system office. The county student population is 30 percent minority enrollment, and lines are periodically shifted to ensure balanced racial populations at all schools. More than 253 courses are available to high school students, including social studies, mathematics, computer science, English, foreign languages and the full range of sciences. 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 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. Volleyball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, golf, tennis and track are also offered.