For the 2024 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 9,593 students in Pender County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 116 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Pender County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Pender County, NC are Pender Early College High School, Topsail High School and North Topsail Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pender County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Pender County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Pender County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pender Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
100 East Industrial Drive
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Grades: 9-13
| 202 students
Rank: #22.
Topsail High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
245 St. Johns Church Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2755
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2755
Grades: 9-12
| 1,547 students
Rank: #33.
North Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1310 Sloop Point Loop Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-0694
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-0694
Grades: PK-5
| 576 students
Rank: #44.
Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
17385 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-1977
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-1977
Grades: PK-5
| 574 students
Rank: #55.
Topsail Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
17445 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2612
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2612
Grades: 5-8
| 785 students
Rank: #66.
South Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
997 Hoover Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2756
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2756
Grades: PK-5
| 486 students
Rank: #77.
Surf City Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12345-b Literacy Lane
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 928-0087
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 928-0087
Grades: 6-8
| 656 students
Rank: #88.
Heide Trask High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
14328 Nc Hwy 210
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-6810
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-6810
Grades: 9-12
| 671 students
Rank: #99.
Pender High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5380 Nc Hwy 53 W
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0162
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0162
Grades: 9-12
| 613 students
Rank: #1010.
Rocky Point Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
255 Elementary School Road
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 675-2309
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 675-2309
Grades: PK-5
| 399 students
Rank: #1111.
Cape Fear Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1882 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3767
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3767
Grades: PK-5
| 522 students
Rank: #1212.
Cape Fear Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3334
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3334
Grades: 6-8
| 444 students
Rank: #1313.
Penderlea Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
11 Garden Road
Willard, NC 28478
(910) 285-2761
Willard, NC 28478
(910) 285-2761
Grades: K-8
| 506 students
Rank: #1414.
West Pender Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
10750 Nc Hwy 53 West
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5626
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5626
Grades: 6-8
| 172 students
Rank: #1515.
C.f. Pope Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 North Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0145
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0145
Grades: PK-5
| 464 students
Rank: #1616.
Burgaw Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 South Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0149
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0149
Grades: 6-8
| 248 students
Rank: #1717.
Malpass Corner Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4992 Malpass Corner Road
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5889
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5889
Grades: PK-5
| 437 students
Rank: n/an/a
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
Alternative School
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 815-7092
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 815-7092
Grades: K-12
| 291 students
Pender County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Pender County Alternative (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
798 Us Hwy 117 South
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0156
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0156
Grades: 4-12
| 35 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Pender County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Pender County, NC include Pender Early College High School, Topsail High School and North Topsail Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pender County, NC?
18 public schools are located in Pender County, NC.
What percentage of students in Pender County, NC go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Pender County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pender County, NC?
Pender County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).
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