Primary and secondary schools in Wilmington, The United States

Two different American cities called Wilmington appear on this page. Wilmington, Delaware, lies in the Mid-Atlantic region, and Wilmington, North Carolina, is a coastal city in the south-east. Our directory lists five private schools in the two cities: three in Delaware and two in North Carolina. Check which Wilmington a school is in before you plan a visit.

All five are private day schools that teach in English and prepare students for college. Most take children from preschool age to grade 12.

What the schools offer

In Wilmington, Delaware:

• Tower Hill School: a private college preparatory school from preschool to grade 12, with 874 students, a ratio of 8 students per teacher and an average class size of 15. It admits several international students each year to grades 9, 10 and 11
• The Tatnall School: a school for 490 students from age 2 to grade 12, in four divisions from Early Childhood to Upper School, with a ratio of one teacher to 7 students and an Upper School Concentrations Program
• Padua Academy: a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women on North Broom Street. Applicants sit the High School Placement Test (HSPT)

In Wilmington, North Carolina:

• Cape Fear Academy: a private school from PreK (age 3) to grade 12 on South College Road, with an average class size of 15
• Wilmington Christian Academy: an educational ministry of Grace Baptist Church, from preschool (ages 2 to 4) to grade 12; the high school offers Advanced Placement and college-credit courses

Admission for international students

Places for students from abroad are limited. Tower Hill School, for example, enrols only a few international students each year, and they must score in the highest percentiles on the TOEFL and the SSAT. A student coming from abroad needs a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the school to apply for a visa; the J exchange visa covers exchange programmes that include high school study. Ask each school whether it can issue these forms.

Costs

Published fees for 2026-27:

• Tower Hill School: $20,800 (Tower Tots) to $39,600 (grades 9 to 12), plus an international fee of $2,500 where it applies
• The Tatnall School: $16,500 (part-time twos and threes) to $38,500 (grades 9 to 12)
• Cape Fear Academy: $19,300 (LE and kindergarten) to $26,850 (grades 9 to 12), plus a one-time $3,000 capital fee paid over three years
• Padua Academy: $18,456

Financial aid is available. At Tower Hill, 37% of students receive financial assistance, and Sawyer Scholars receive a $15,000 merit scholarship each year in the Upper School. Padua awards merit scholarships to students with top HSPT scores. In North Carolina, Cape Fear Academy accepts the state's Opportunity Scholarship, which 61% of its families receive, with awards from about $3,500 to $7,900 per student.

Practical tips

• Note the deadlines: at Padua Academy, applications are due on 15 November 2026, after the HSPT on 7 or 8 November
• Expect tuition to rise each year; Tatnall states this on its fee page
• Climate differs: NOAA's 1991-2020 normals give an average of 33.5 °F (about 1 °C) in January and 77.6 °F (about 25 °C) in July near Wilmington, Delaware, and 46.8 °F (about 8 °C) and 81.5 °F (about 27.5 °C) at Wilmington, North Carolina
• In Delaware, a DART bus fare costs $1.00 for students

Frequently asked questions

Which Wilmington are these schools in?

Tower Hill School, The Tatnall School and Padua Academy are in Wilmington, Delaware. Cape Fear Academy and Wilmington Christian Academy are in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Can international students attend a school in Wilmington?

Some schools accept them. Tower Hill School enrols several international students each year in grades 9 to 11; they must score in the highest percentiles on the TOEFL and the SSAT.

How much does a private school in Wilmington cost?

For 2026-27, upper school tuition ranges from $18,456 at Padua Academy to $39,600 at Tower Hill School.

Is there a girls' school in Wilmington?

Yes. Padua Academy in Wilmington, Delaware, is a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women.