Topsail High School

Having moved from Fairfax County, Virginia, the bar was high when looking for a new school for my high school son. We searched the greater SE NC region before choosing to come to Topsail HS. Mr. Skipper was excellent his first year and Mr. Simmon has done well with Marcus having moved on. There are always issues with any school system but Pender County has done well and has modern programs without much of the politically correct nonsence we experienced at Lake Braddock. Class sizes and technology are very good. Our research paid off and we are quite pleased. We would prefer email/ TXT messages vs. phone recordings but they do communicate well.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a grandmother of a 16 year old grandson. Because of things out of my control he has been to a few schools befor he got to Topsail one was Dixion,He hated to go to school his grades was so low I didnt think he would finish school at all.Then we moved so he could go to Topsail and so far he has brought his grades up to A's and B's ( I have never seen befor) he is having fun playing football and likes all his teacher s, he really likes his school, he has never said that befor either.And he is making ready for collage.So I thank North Topsail High School staff for turning my grandson around to being a better child and student.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with excellent test scores! It is too bad that greatschools.org has not included at least the 2009 test results as of today's date (June 22, 2010). I have heard that the 2010 scores are even better! :)
—Submitted by a parent

good reputation, new school, well supported by the community
—Submitted by a parent

I transferred to Topsail from Dixon when I was still in high school back in 2003. The change was breathtaking. The teachers cared, the principal at the time [Hugh McManus] was quite possibly the greatest principal I had ever had, and the students were extremely friendly. I found one fight in all the years I attended and it was handled quickly and effectively. Nothing beats the education you receive either! I wish I could go back again and again because it was the greatest four years of education anyone could receive. I'm sorry to say that on a 1 to 10 scale comparison between Dixon and Topsail, Topsail was a 10 and Dixon was merely a 1. I want my children to attend the new school because I know for a fact that Topsail is the best school in that entire area. Thank you, Topsail Staff and Students, for being 100%!
—Submitted by a student

What a great school, I couldn't ask for anything better. The teachers are very understanding. They are teachers they can't be your best friends, so yes they are strict but they aren't overly strict. We have an amazing new school. And I love it. It was my first year in Topsail this year and everyone was very welcoming. I mean its High School, how welcoming can they get, right? But for a High School, I felt welcomed. Mr. Skipper is a great principle he seems to understand us very well. I don't think that a high school could be any better. Oh, and our rivals are the Dixon Bull Dogs. And they aren't really rivals; I mean we practically beat them in everything. Haha, I had to add that in. Come check out the school, you won't regret it :D
—Submitted by a student

Too much favoritism in school team sports and school team support. Teachers pick favorite students for teams and squads and shun students who excel in sports and cheering. It boils down to what parents and their children can kiss up to the decision makers.
—Submitted by a parent

Topsail High School has recently been placed in a brand new, multi-million dollar facility, that replaced the decades-old Topsail High. However, this detail takes a back seat to the other pros that this school has. What makes it shine is its amazing teaching staff, curriculum (sometimes), and ever diligent cleaning staff (that's a lot of ground for them to cover; 25,000 sq. ft.!). There are always signs of the exceptional effort put forth by the teachers here, and, to be frank, it is very heartening. Sadly, there is one major chink in THS's armor. The administration's lack of organization. I hate to say it, but they seem to have the belief that we're bothering them when we ask them to do their job. For example, I was looking into joining in some extra-curricular activities this year, but saw no fliers nor heard anything about a chance to sign up for anything.
—Submitted by a student

The change to Mr. Skipper was the smartest thing this school has done. He is a great principal. Most of the teachers at Topsail are caring and very helpful. The athletics are good, but not great. The AD is the head football coach and is spread a little too thin in the fall. Overall Topsail is great, but due to budget size they aren't able to offer a lot of classes students need and transfer students often struggle to find classes compatiable with their previous schools.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent public school. The students are good kids and the teaching staff is dedicated and competent. The school's academics are excellent and the parents are very active in the school. The school also has some great extracurricular activities (football, wrestling, band, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf, etc.) My wife and I left an inadequate school system (New Hanover County, NC) and bought a house in Hampstead, NC just so my kids could attend this and other area schools (North Topsail Elementary and Topsail Middle School). Great people... great schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Moved here from NJ 4 years ago. Find the schools to be excellent, and challenging to the students, one of the best in the state.
—Submitted by a parent

Topsail High School is a wonderful school. I have a daughter in 9th grade and she loves to go to school there. She is in Marching Band and Symphonic Band and would do it 24/7 if I let her. Mr. McMurray is a great asset to the Pender County Schools Program. Topsail High is very concerned about their students, you can tell by the test scores. My daughter is in Honors classes and is excelling. She never wants to lay out of school. She stayed home sick one day and at lunch time she was all better and asked if I could take her to school. This is because it is such an excellent environment and such fantastic caring teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has beeen great and that is all that I have to say. The teachers are great and the other students are friendly and kind.
—Submitted by michelle blankenship, a student