New Hanover High School is a high school in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. New Hanover High is the oldest existing high school in Wilmington.Steelman, Ben. "What is the History of New Hanover High School?" StarNews. MyReporter. 3 Mar. 2010. 11 Jul. 2010. It is a part of New Hanover County Schools.
New Hanover is the most diverse high school in New Hanover County. The school's ethnicity is 50% Caucasian, 43% African American, 5% Hispanic, and 2% of other ethnic classification. The school has an enrollment of 1,721 students and a staff of 930.
History The original school building was designed by William J. Wilkins. Construction started in 1920, and was completed in 1922.Hoover, Sydney. (April 21, 2022). 100 years in the making: See how New Hanover High School has changed, grown in its lifetime. Wilmington Star-News. Retrieved August 1, 2025. New Hanover High underwent a complete renovation at the start of the 21st century.
Sports The tradition of Wildcat Athletics is exemplified in having won over 30 North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) State Championships: 14 men's basketball, 5 baseball, 4 football, 3 men's tennis, 3 softball, and 3 men's golf.
In popular culture The high school's gym was featured in a season 4 episode of the TV series One Tree Hill when the Tree Hill Ravens played their state semi-final game vs. Verona. It was also featured in the 1987 film Hiding Out, 1989 film Dream a Little Dream, and in the film Blue Velvet.
Notable alumni Kadeem Allen (born 1993), basketball player in the NBA and currently for Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League Cody Arnoux, professional soccer player Nick Becton, NFL offensive tackle Charlie Boney, architect David Brinkley, longtime news anchor for NBC and ABC; famous for the Huntley-Brinkley Report and This Week Lauren Collins, staff writer for The New YorkerSteelman, Ben. (Aug 24, 2016). Wilmington native Lauren Collins explores the byways of language in 1st book. Star News Online. Retrieved Sep 7, 2020. Alge Crumpler, NFL tight end (2001–2010) and four-time Pro Bowl playerAlge Crumpler Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Rod Delmonico, former baseball coach at the University of Tennessee Roman Gabriel, NFL quarterback, four-time Pro Bowl player and first team All-Pro in 1969Roman Gabriel Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Shawn Gallagher, White House Director for Nuclear Threat Reduction, MIT graduate, and baseball player for the Texas Rangers,. "White House Press Briefing" Retrieved 12 January 2024.. "MIT Thesis". Retrieved 12 January 2024.. "Baseball Reference". Retrieved 12 January 2024. Kenny Gattison, NBA playerKenny Gattison Stats. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved 1 March 2019. James Goodnight, CEO SAS Institute Beth Grant, actressHidek, Jeff. (Sep 7, 2013). Actress Beth Grant talks local roots and broad career. Star News Online. Retrieved Sep 7, 2020. William D. Halyburton, Jr., U.S. Navy hospital corpsman in World War II, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient Ed Hinton, actor known particularly for guest-starring roles on television westernsCalloway, Gail. (Aug 26, 2015). Woman explores movie-star father's Wilmington history. starnewsonline.com. Retrieved Aug 22, 2020. Will Inman, poetTen Letters | UNCW Archive | Ten Letters From Special Connections. Retrieved Aug 22, 2020. Sonny Jurgensen, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, played with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia EaglesSonny Jurgensen Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Clarence Kea, professional basketball player Charles P. Murray, Jr., U.S. Army officer in World War II and Medal of Honor recipient Mike Nifong, North Carolina district attorney disbarred for misconduct in the Duke lacrosse case Trot Nixon, MLB right fielderTrot Nixon Profile. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Don Payne, writer and producer for The Simpsons and other television and film projects Robert Daniel Potter, U.S. District JudgeResolution re: Dedication of Robert D. Potter Courtroom. Retrieved Aug 27, 2020. Cecil R. Reynolds, noted psychologist, author, and test developer Jay Ross, NFL defensive tackleJay Ross Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Robert Ruark, author of Something of Value Lamar Russ, professional boxer in the middleweight divisionhttps://www.fayobserver.com/3899f3be-56d3-592a-9aa5-2ccf3f5b19d7.html. fayobserver.com. Retrieved 7 March 2019. George Edward "Bo" Shepard, former head basketball coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels Reggie Shuford, ACLU attorney, left before graduation Sonny Siaki, American Samoan professional wrestlerCarree, Chuck. (Jul 18, 2009). Former New Hanover star gives up wrestling career to save brother's life. starnewsonline.com. Retrieved Aug 22, 2020. Clyde Simmons, NFL defensive endClyde Simmons Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Ross Tomaselli, professional soccer player Ty Walker, professional basketball playerGrady, Tom. (Jul 13, 2013). Hanover favorite Ty Walker comes home, feels the love. starnewsonline.com. Retrieved June 23, 2020. Blake Walston, professional baseball player in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization
References
External links "New Hanover High School Fact Sheet." New Hanover County Schools. 2008.