Best Pender County Public Middle Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 3,002 students in Pender County, NC.

The top ranked public middle schools in Pender County, NC are Topsail Middle School, Surf City Middle School and Penderlea Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.

Pender County, NC public middle schools have an score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Pender County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.

Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Pender County (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Topsail Middle School

(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
:

Top 20%

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17445 Us Hwy 17
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-2612

Gr: 5-8 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #22.

Surf City Middle School

(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
:

Top 30%

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12345-b Literacy Lane
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 928-0087

Gr: 6-8 | 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #33.

Penderlea Elementary School

(Math: 43% | Reading: 41%)
:

Bottom 50%

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11 Garden Road
Willard, NC 28478
(910) 285-2761

Gr: K-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%

Rank: #44.

Cape Fear Middle School

(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
:

Bottom 50%

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1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 602-3334

Gr: 6-8 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%

Rank: #55.

Pender Innovative Learning Academy

Alternative School

(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

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1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 789-6073

Gr: K-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Rank: #66.

Burgaw Middle School

(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
:

Bottom 50%

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500 South Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-0149

Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%

Rank: #77.

West Pender Middle School

(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
:

Bottom 50%

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10750 Nc Hwy 53 West
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 283-5626

Gr: 6-8 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%

[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Pender County, NC

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

Gr: 4-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 49%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public middle schools in Pender County, NC?

The top ranked public middle schools in Pender County, NC include Topsail Middle School, Surf City Middle School and Penderlea Elementary School.

How many public middle schools are located in Pender County?

7 public middle schools are located in Pender County.

What is the racial composition of students in Pender County?

Pender County public middle schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Which public middle schools in Pender County are often viewed compared to one another?

Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Pender County include: Surf City Middle School vs. Topsail Middle School, Burgaw Middle School vs. Cape Fear Middle School, Cape Fear Middle School vs. Burgaw Middle School