For the 2025 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)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 188 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 587 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,888 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 610 students
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
Grades: 5-8
| 855 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 565 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 750 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 672 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 402 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 484 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 734 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 538 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 543 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 449 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 48 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 491 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 228 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 188 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 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, Burgaw Middle School vs. Cape Fear Middle School
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