Average
#1372 of 2,648 schools in NC
Pender Early College High
High School · Pender County Schools
100 East Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burgaw
#1 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#137 of 579
In district
#7 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Pender Early College High
Pender Early College High serves 193 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in rural Burgaw, North Carolina. This innovative public school operates with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering exceptional academic results. The school's academic performance is truly impressive, earning an 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #174 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 98% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 93% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These outstanding results reflect the school's unique early college model, which allows high school students to simultaneously earn college credits. Located at 100 East Industrial Drive, Pender Early College High serves a community where the median household income is $63,750 and median home values average $186,900.
While 23% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the poverty rate stands at 13.2%, the school provides an exceptional pathway for students to accelerate their educational journey. The rural Pender County setting offers a close-knit environment where this specialized program helps students get a head start on their college education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 193 students, Pender Early College High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Pender Early College High is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Pender Early College High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pender Early College High — Students at Pender Early College High score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.8/10.
How Pender Early College High Compares
See how Pender Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 84.5% (2019) to 90.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 95% (2019) to 98.2% (2025).
Location
100 East Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pender Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEA-Tech (rated 8.2/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilmington Early College High (rated 5.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Heide Trask High (rated 3.9/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), a more accessible option. For more schools in Burgaw, see our Burgaw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 0.1 mi | 4.8 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Pender High Burgaw | 5.1 mi | 2.5 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 7.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 8.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 9.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw | 8.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 9.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 9.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Penderlea Elementary Willard | 10.4 mi | 6.7 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 10.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 13.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 13.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Wallace Elementary Wallace | 13.5 mi | 4.1 |
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 13.9 mi | 6.5 |
| ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 14.6 mi | — |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 15.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 15.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey | 16.3 mi | 3.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28425 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,163
Median Home Value
$206,300
Median Rent
$989/mo
Population
10,823
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
78.4%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pender Early College High has a median household income of $65,163. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,300, with a median rent of $989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Davidson Early College Lexington, NC | 6.4 |
| Henderson County Early College Flat Rock, NC | 6.4 |
| Sampson Early College High Clinton, NC | 6.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby, NC | 6.5 |
| Duplin Early College High Kenansville, NC | 6.5 |
| Academy at Smith Greensboro, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pender Early College High
What grades does Pender Early College High serve?
Pender Early College High serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Pender Early College High?
Pender Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pender Early College High?
The student-teacher ratio at Pender Early College High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pender Early College High rank in NC?
Pender Early College High is ranked #1372 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pender Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pender Early College High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Pender Early College High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pender Early College High has 90.1% math proficiency and 96.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pender Early College High a charter school?
No, Pender Early College High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pender Early College High a Title I school?
No, Pender Early College High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pender Early College High?
33.7% of students at Pender Early College High 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
- City Safety
- High (1,644/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burgaw). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 193
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Phone
- (910) 362-7925
- 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
- #7 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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