For many families moving to South Eastern North Carolina, the house hunt doesn't start with a zip code—it starts with a school acceptance letter. While our public school districts in New Hanover and Pender counties have sought-after pockets, the private school landscape is a major driver of real estate decisions.

However, a listing description won't tell you the reality of the morning drop-off line. As you evaluate properties, you need to calculate not just the mortgage, but the "commuter tax"—the time you spend driving from your dream home to your child’s classroom.

Here is an insider’s guide to the region’s key private institutions and the neighborhoods that serve them best.

The "College Prep" Tier: Cape Fear Academy

Location: South Wilmington (near Halyburton Park)
The Vibe: Secular, rigorous, and often compared to a collegiate campus. It is the closest thing the region has to a traditional "prep school."
Tuition Reality: Expect to pay between $18,000 – $25,000+ annually depending on the grade.

Where to Buy:
Autumn Hall & Landfall: High-end connectivity.
Midtown (Glen Meade, Forest Hills): A short, counter-traffic commute.
Carolina Beach/Kure Beach: Surprisingly viable. The drive up College Road is straight, making "island life" possible for CFA families.

The Faith-Based Anchors

If you are seeking a Christ-centered education, the region offers several heavyweights that blend academics with spiritual formation.

Wilmington Christian Academy (WCA) & Coastal Christian High School
Locations: WCA is in Midtown (Market St. area); Coastal Christian is in the Myrtle Grove area.
The Vibe: WCA offers a traditional K-12 experience on a sprawling campus. Coastal Christian has rapidly become the "destination" high school for families seeking a strong athletic and social culture alongside academics.
Tuition Reality: Moderate, ranging from $8,500 – $10,000.

Where to Buy:
Masonboro Loop Road: Perfectly situated for Coastal Christian families.
Ogden/Porters Neck: Doable for WCA, but factor in the Market Street traffic.

Liberty Christian Academy (Onslow County)
Location: Jacksonville (Richlands Hwy)
The Vibe: The academic powerhouse of Onslow. For military families or investors in Jacksonville who want private education, this is the standard-setter.
Tuition Reality: Accessible, typically $8,500 – $9,000.
Where to Buy: Richlands or the Stateside area for easy access.

The Progressive & Montessori Track

Friends School of Wilmington & Topsail Montessori
The Vibe: These schools offer an alternative to the "rows of desks" model, focusing on project-based learning and emotional intelligence.

Where to Buy:
Friends School: Located near Peiffer Ave (South Oleander). Look for homes in Pine Valley or Long Leaf Park.
Topsail Montessori: Located in Hampstead. This is a major draw for Pender County buyers who want private education without driving into Wilmington.

The "Commuter Calculation"

This is the single biggest mistake new buyers make. They fall in love with a home in Leland (Brunswick County) or Surf City (Pender County) because of the price per square foot, assuming a "20-minute drive" to a Wilmington private school.

The Reality: That 20 minutes becomes 45 minutes during school zones and bridge traffic.

Strategic Advice: If you choose a school across a bridge (Cape Fear Memorial or the Swing Bridge), do a "dry run" of the commute at 7:45 AM before you make an offer on a house.

Your Next Step

Matching your budget to a house is easy. Matching your daily logistics to a neighborhood requires local insight.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we are experts in listening to your family's needs—from AP classes to soccer practice commutes—and translating them into a home that works for you. We help you buy where you live, not just where you sleep. Let’s connect and map out your family’s future.