For the 2025-26 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 10,220 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 Annandale Elementary School and Topsail High 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 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Pender County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Pender County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pender Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 East Industrial Drive
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Gr: 9-13 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Topsail Annandale Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
17385 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-1977
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-1977
Gr: PK-4 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Topsail High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
245 St. Johns Church Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2755
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2755
Gr: 9-12 | 1,888 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
South Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
997 Hoover Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2756
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2756
Gr: PK-5 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
Topsail Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
17445 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2612
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2612
Gr: 5-8 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
North Topsail Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1310 Sloop Point Loop Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-0694
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-0694
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Surf City Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12345-b Literacy Lane
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 928-0087
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 928-0087
Gr: 6-8 | 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Pender High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5380 Nc Hwy 53 W
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0162
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0162
Gr: 9-12 | 672 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #99.
Rocky Point Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1010.
Penderlea Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
11 Garden Road
Willard, NC 28478
(910) 285-2761
Willard, NC 28478
(910) 285-2761
Gr: K-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Heide Trask High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
14328 Nc Hwy 210
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-6810
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-6810
Gr: 9-12 | 734 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1212.
C.f. Pope Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 North Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0145
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0145
Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1313.
Cape Fear Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1882 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3767
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3767
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1414.
Cape Fear Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3334
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3334
Gr: 6-8 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1515.
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 789-6073
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 789-6073
Gr: K-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1616.
Malpass Corner Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4992 Malpass Corner Road
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5889
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5889
Gr: PK-5 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1717.
Burgaw Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
500 South Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0149
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0149
Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1818.
West Pender Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
10750 Nc Hwy 53 West
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5626
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5626
Gr: 6-8 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Pender County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Pender County Alternative (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
798 Us Hwy 117 South
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0156
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0156
Gr: 4-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
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 Annandale Elementary School and Topsail High School.
How many public schools are located in Pender County?
18 public schools are located in Pender County.
What percentage of students in Pender County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Pender County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pender County?
Pender County public schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Pender County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pender County include: Cape Fear Elementary School vs. C.f. Pope Elementary School, Malpass Corner Elementary School vs. C.f. Pope Elementary School, Surf City Middle School vs. Topsail Middle School
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
