Very Good
#569 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 22% in state
Cape Fear Middle
Middle School · Pender County Schools
1886 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rocky Point
#2 of 5
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#41 of 475
In district
#2 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Cape Fear Middle
Cape Fear Middle is a regular public middle school located in Rocky Point, North Carolina, within Pender County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 449 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, Cape Fear Middle provides personalized attention to each student.
The academic performance at Cape Fear Middle places the school in the 60th percentile statewide, ranking it as the 1074th out of 2661 schools in North Carolina. The ELA/reading proficiency rate is 44% and for math, it's 47%. While these scores suggest there is room for improvement, Cape Fear Middle remains committed to supporting student development.
Cape Fear Middle is situated in a rural area near Rocky Point, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning. The school community takes pride in fostering a supportive atmosphere that encourages academic and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cape Fear Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cape Fear Middle — Students at Cape Fear Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How Cape Fear Middle Compares
See how Cape Fear Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 55.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 46.4% (2025).
Location
1886 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cape Fear Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Holly Shelter Middle (rated 7.8/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), with a very similar rating. Another option is Emma B Trask Middle (rated 7.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Burgaw Middle (rated 4.8/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Burgaw), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rocky Point, see our Rocky Point schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 0.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 4.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 5.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 6.1 mi | 5.9 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 7.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 7.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 7.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 9.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 9.6 mi | 4.8 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 9.8 mi | 4.6 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington | 10.7 mi | 7.3 |
| D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 2.5 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 11.1 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,860
Median Home Value
$233,300
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
11,131
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cape Fear Middle has a median household income of $66,860. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,300, with a median rent of $866/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Canton Middle Canton, NC | 7.8 |
| Currituck County Middle Barco, NC | 7.8 |
| Elizabeth City Middle Elizabeth City, NC | 7.8 |
| Elm City Middle Elm City, NC | 7.8 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks, NC | 7.8 |
| Madison Middle School Marshall, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cape Fear Middle
What grades does Cape Fear Middle serve?
Cape Fear Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cape Fear Middle?
Cape Fear Middle has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cape Fear Middle is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cape Fear Middle rank in NC?
Cape Fear Middle is ranked #569 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cape Fear Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cape Fear Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cape Fear Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cape Fear Middle has 46.6% math proficiency and 43.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cape Fear Middle a charter school?
No, Cape Fear Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cape Fear Middle a Title I school?
No, Cape Fear Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cape Fear Middle?
99.3% of students at Cape Fear Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 449
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Phone
- (910) 602-3334
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #2 of 19
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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