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Public School Review - Established 2003

Pender County Schools

925 Penderlea Hwy
Burgaw, NC 28425
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
7/
10
Top 50%
Tel: (910) 259-2187
www.pendercountyschools.net

Top Rankings

Pender County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public elementary schools serving 7,533 students in Pender County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Pender County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
19 Schools
2,151 Schools
# Students
11,060 Students
1,095,784 Students
# Teachers
616 Teachers
71,767 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1

Student By Grade

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends

GradePender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
Pre-K26275
Kind678315
1724325
2762331
3856341
4841325
5865333
6865333
7804325
8853327
91035
10631
11528
12224
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District Rank

Pender County Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
State Average (NC)
#130 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)

Overall School District Rank Trends

YearPender County Schools
2023#130
2022#130
2021#120
2019#107
2018#134
2017#118
2016#122
2015#125
2014#130
2013#117
2012#101
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(21-22)
55%
51%

Math Proficiency Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202255%51%
202149%42%
201946%42%
201842%48%
201750%47%
201648%47%
201545%44%
201439%43%
201337%42%
201284%82%
201185%82%
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51%
50%

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202251%50%
202150%47%
201950%46%
201842%47%
201749%46%
201648%47%
201546%46%
201445%46%
201346%45%
201275%73%
201176%70%
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67%
63%

Science Proficiency Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202267%63%
202168%61%
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(21-22)
94%
86%

Graduation Rate Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202294%86%
202193%85%
202093%86%
201993%85%
201889%86%
201789%88%
201690%88%
201590%87%
201488%86%
201387%85%
201287%83%
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Students by Ethnicity:

0.54
0.72

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
20240.530.71
20230.530.71
20220.530.70
20210.530.69
20200.530.68
20190.530.68
20180.510.67
20170.510.67
20160.500.66
20150.520.66
20140.500.65
20130.510.65
20120.510.64
20110.510.64
20100.490.61
20090.490.61
20080.500.61
20070.500.60
20060.490.58
20050.500.58
20040.500.57
20030.490.56
20020.490.55
20010.490.53
20000.490.53
19990.490.52
19980.490.52
19970.500.50
19960.500.50
19950.500.49
19940.500.48
19930.510.48
19920.510.48
19910.500.48
19900.500.48
19890.500.48
19880.500.47
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% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
5%

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2008-2023)

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
20231%4%
20221%4%
20211%4%
20141%3%
20132%3%
20091%2%
20081%3%
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% Hispanic
18%
22%

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202418%21%
202317%20%
202217%20%
202116%19%
202016%18%
201916%18%
201814%17%
201714%17%
201613%16%
201514%16%
201411%15%
201312%14%
201212%13%
201112%13%
201010%11%
20099%11%
20089%11%
200710%10%
20068%8%
20057%8%
20046%7%
20035%6%
20025%5%
20014%4%
20003%4%
19993%3%
19983%3%
19973%2%
19962%2%
19952%2%
19942%1%
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% Black
11%
24%

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202411%25%
202311%25%
202211%25%
202113%25%
202014%25%
201914%25%
201815%26%
201715%26%
201616%26%
201518%26%
201416%26%
201317%26%
201219%26%
201119%26%
201023%31%
200923%31%
200823%29%
200724%29%
200625%32%
200528%31%
200430%31%
200331%31%
200231%31%
200132%31%
200033%31%
199934%31%
199834%30%
199736%31%
199637%31%
199538%30%
199439%30%
199340%30%
199241%30%
199142%30%
199043%30%
198943%30%
198845%30%
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% White
65%
42%

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
202465%43%
202366%44%
202266%45%
202165%46%
202066%48%
201966%48%
201868%49%
201768%49%
201668%50%
201558%50%
201468%51%
201367%52%
201267%53%
201167%53%
201067%54%
200967%54%
200867%55%
200766%56%
200667%56%
200565%57%
200464%58%
200364%59%
200264%60%
200164%61%
200064%61%
199963%62%
199863%63%
199761%64%
199661%64%
199560%65%
199459%66%
199358%66%
199257%66%
199157%66%
199057%66%
198957%66%
198855%67%
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% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2024)

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
20246%6%
20235%6%
20225%5%
20215%5%
20204%5%
20194%5%
20183%4%
20173%4%
20163%4%
20154%4%
20143%4%
20132%4%
20122%4%
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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $9,757 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,422 is less than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$108 MM
$17,307 MM

Total Revenues Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
2023$108 MM$8 MM
2022$99 MM$8 MM
2021$108 MM$8 MM
2020$99 MM$8 MM
2019$106 MM$8 MM
2018$88 MM$8 MM
2017$84 MM$8 MM
2016$80 MM$8 MM
2015$78 MM$18 MM
2014$71 MM$10 MM
2012$71 MM$17 MM
2011$88 MM$19 MM
2010$78 MM$18 MM
2009$81 MM$19 MM
2008$73 MM$18 MM
2007$64 MM$18 MM
2006$56 MM$15 MM
2005$54 MM$15 MM
2004$50 MM$17 MM
2003$50 MM$17 MM
2002$48 MM$16 MM
2001$51 MM$17 MM
2000$45 MM$20 MM
1999$38 MM$23 MM
1998$37 MM$26 MM
1997$34 MM$34 MM
1996$30 MM$34 MM
1995$27 MM$32 MM
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Spending
$104 MM
$17,964 MM

Total Expenditure Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
2023$104 MM$8 MM
2022$102 MM$8 MM
2021$104 MM$8 MM
2020$102 MM$8 MM
2019$110 MM$7 MM
2018$136 MM$8 MM
2017$115 MM$9 MM
2016$88 MM$8 MM
2015$75 MM$18 MM
2014$74 MM$11 MM
2012$75 MM$16 MM
2011$77 MM$17 MM
2010$75 MM$18 MM
2009$88 MM$18 MM
2008$82 MM$17 MM
2007$75 MM$18 MM
2006$60 MM$15 MM
2005$52 MM$15 MM
2004$50 MM$16 MM
2003$51 MM$17 MM
2002$54 MM$15 MM
2001$57 MM$17 MM
2000$46 MM$20 MM
1999$39 MM$24 MM
1998$46 MM$26 MM
1997$34 MM$36 MM
1996$30 MM$33 MM
1995$27 MM$32 MM
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Revenue / Student
$9,757
$11,168

Average Revenue Per Student Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
2023$9,872$10,093
2022$10,076$9,918
2021$11,288$10,282
2020$10,076$9,918
2019$11,275$9,125
2018$9,359$9,419
2017$8,879$10,522
2016$8,731$9,128
2015$8,594$10,864
2014$8,174$9,046
2012$8,341$10,562
2011$10,454$12,703
2010$9,342$10,864
2009$9,801$11,105
2008$8,987$11,767
2007$8,051$9,479
2006$7,603$9,335
2005$7,499$8,913
2004$7,167$8,734
2003$7,360$8,577
2002$7,034$8,130
2001$7,822$7,294
2000$7,021$7,636
1999$6,057$7,252
1998$6,057$5,688
1997$5,652$5,690
1995$4,985$5,545
1992$5,295$4,737
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Spending / Student
$9,422
$11,592

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends

YearPender County SchoolsNorth Carolina
2023$9,533$9,807
2022$10,348$9,654
2021$10,900$9,990
2020$10,348$9,654
2019$11,687$8,949
2018$14,402$9,637
2017$12,125$11,583
2016$9,548$9,753
2015$8,305$10,591
2014$8,529$9,388
2012$8,774$10,336
2011$9,157$11,927
2010$9,027$10,591
2009$10,668$10,880
2008$10,169$11,136
2007$9,487$9,418
2006$8,159$8,813
2005$7,315$8,647
2004$7,127$8,413
2003$7,469$8,886
2002$7,921$7,903
2001$8,613$7,301
2000$7,049$7,650
1999$6,214$7,340
1998$7,467$5,663
1997$5,685$6,040
1995$5,065$5,570
1992$5,801$4,725
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Best Pender County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Topsail Annandale Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
17385 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-1977
Gr: PK-4 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Surf City Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12345-a Literacy Lane
Holly Ridge, NC 28445
(910) 928-0067
Gr: PK-5 | 857 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
South Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
997 Hoover Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2756
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Topsail Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
17445 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2612
Gr: 5-8 | 837 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
North Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1310 Sloop Point Loop Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-0694
Gr: PK-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Surf City Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12345-b Literacy Lane
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 928-0087
Gr: 6-8 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
Rocky Point Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
255 Elementary School Road
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 675-2309
Gr: PK-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Penderlea Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11 Garden Road
Willard, NC 28478
(910) 285-2761
Gr: K-8 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #99.
C.f. Pope Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 North Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0145
Gr: PK-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1010.
Cape Fear Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1882 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3767
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
Cape Fear Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3334
Gr: 6-8 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1212.
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 789-6073
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1313.
Malpass Corner Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4992 Malpass Corner Road
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5889
Gr: PK-5 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1414.
Burgaw Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
500 South Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0149
Gr: 6-8 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1515.
West Pender Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
10750 Nc Hwy 53 West
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5626
Gr: 6-8 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 66%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 19 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 11,060 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 35%
  • : 94% (Top 1% in NC)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 55% (Top 50%)
  • : 51% (Top 50%)
  • : 67% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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