The reported proficiency rate for Science is 7%.
Original Research by School Decision on J. C. Roe Center
J. C. Roe Center is a small alternative school serving grades six through twelve in Wilmington. Enrollment is very small, comprising mostly high school students. The school serves a student population in which a substantial share qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; the majority of students are Black, with smaller shares multiracial, American Indian, and white.
State testing results show very low proficiency. In mathematics and English language arts, measured proficiency was at the lowest reportable range. In science, proficiency was in single digits. The school tested a small number of students in each subject; these numbers should be understood in that light. A parent or guardian considering this school should ask directly about academic support structures, tutoring, and how the school works with students who arrive significantly behind grade level, since that context shapes what these numbers mean for any individual student.
Alternative schools often serve students who have struggled in traditional settings, face behavior or attendance challenges, are overage for grade, or are working toward a diploma through a different pathway. The Roe Center's enrollment and test profile are consistent with a school of this type. State testing data alone does not capture what an alternative setting offers: flexibility, smaller class sizes, individualized pacing, work-study arrangements, credit recovery, or other supports that may be central to how the school helps students graduate. The school does not report a four-year graduation rate in available data, so a prospective family would need to request that information directly from the school to understand outcomes.
The school sits in Wilmington, a mid-sized coastal city undergoing sustained growth. Downtown is unusually walkable for North Carolina, with the Cape Fear Riverwalk, historic architecture, galleries, and restaurants concentrated near the water. Beyond downtown and beach areas, the city is car-dependent. Major employers include Novant Health, UNCW, GE Hitachi, nCino (a fintech company headquartered locally), and clinical research operations. The region is growing rapidly; Brunswick County, just south, is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina. Housing costs have risen sharply over the past decade and are now a top resident concern.
New Hanover County Schools is the parent district. A major school facilities bond referendum is scheduled for November, which would fund replacements for two schools and expansions at others, with property-tax implications. The district has also recently updated student cell phone policy to restrict photography and recording without consent, and added the history of the Freeman family and the Seabreeze Resort, a historically Black coastal resort, into the curriculum as part of ongoing inclusion of local African American history.
For families considering J. C. Roe Center, the key questions are what specific programming and support the school provides, how students progress toward graduation, and whether the school's approach aligns with the student's learning needs and circumstances. The school's small size and alternative designation suggest a setting built around individual student pathways rather than a traditional classroom model.
See more original research from School Decision →